The Nigerian Army has in an official statement said they are not in possession of the original or copies of the credentials of the presidential candidate of the APC, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig, Gen O. Laleye said this when he addressed news men at a press conference in Abuja today Jan. 20th. Gentlemen of the Press, I am pleased to welcome everyone back from the Christmas and the 2015 New Year festivities. On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish you all a happy and more fulfilling 2015. Since our last media briefing on 31 December, 2014, some issues relating to the Nigerian Army have occurred and this briefing is holding specifically to address them.
I will begin with the Major General Muhammadu Buhari certificate controversy.
Gentlemen, let me state clearly that the Nigerian Army holds the retired senior officer in
very high esteem and respect and would not be a party to any controversy surrounding his eligibility for any political office. Suffice to state that Major General Buhari rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General before becoming the Head of State of our dear country in December 1983.
The media hype on retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Nigerian Army on this issue have necessitated that we provide the facts as contained in the retired senior officer’s service record.
Records available indicate that Major General M Buhari applied to join the military as a Form Six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on 18 Oct 61. His application was duly endorsed by the Principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him to be suitable for military commission. It is a practice in the NA that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the Service, the Selection Board verifies the original copies of credentials that are presented.
However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s.
Nevertheless, the entry made on the NA Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a pass in English Literature. Neither the original copy, Certified True Copy (CTC) nor statement of result of Major General M Buhari's WASC result is in his personal file.
I hope this explanation will put to rest the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Major General Mohammed Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army.
I will also seize this opportunity to make some observations on the recent CNN report titled 'The Battle Against Boko Haram', which was aired a few days ago. I believe we all hold the CNN in high esteem. However, CNN’s report on issues concerning kitting, equipment, medical treatment and corruption in the Nigerian Army is perhaps the best example of a media house’s show of bias, ignorance, poor journalism, unprofessionali
The Nigerian Army also wishes to emphasize its adherence to the principles and respect of human rights in the discharge of its constitutional duties. It further calls on everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspected breach of the peace to security agencies.
Thank you and God Bless.
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COMMENTS
Smith Abiye and 2 others like this.
Yvonne Onaibe
*haba.....y them dae do this to this man naJesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
So they stated his WASC result but they don't have it in their file?. What happened to it?. Could it be that the particular record have been removed from his file?. Concerning the military equipment, the man is off by a long shot. The military isn't well equipped. If it was the Prez wouldn't have requested to borrow more money to fight BH upon the loads of money that was budgeted last year for security. The security budget has been rising since 2010 at an astronomical rate yet the military struggles to buy equipments. Where is the money going to? Why aren't the people holding those young brave people ransom being punished?. Regarding BH, the moment Nigerians recognize this as a fight by the elites of the country in collaboration with the West we'll see progress. The West and some big wigs in this country are gaining too much from BH's presence for them to want to fight it genuinely.Emeka Solomon
This is ridiculous, voting is just like shutting Nigeria down.Ephraim Joseph Mustard
Buhari is a liar and he wants to fight corruption. Is lying not corruption?Prince Adeola Rasheed
@Endy, how much were u paid to tarnished this man image..??? Even those who brought it to media av give up and accept defeat. Even if he's on wheelchair dis man is man of people. Believe me no amount of ur fake news can brings him down. Continue ur campaigns, bro u only buy him more votes.Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Prince. Slow down. I did see the Army giving out the details.Prince Adeola Rasheed
@Jesse,, d details av been submitted to INEC already. Buh endy tot he can brings back d clock, dat is y he repost dis sh*t.... @Endy any more news..??? Brings it on padi mi.Browayson John Sr.
Even without the credentials he's still gonna loose.Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Prince. Its still newsworthy. The military made this statement today so its relevant. Yes, he might have submitted details to the electoral body but this is fresh news.Aduku Ameh Mayor
Presidential fraudster!Prince Adeola Rasheed
@jesse,,,,, Ok lets see d outcomes.... Jux remember dat all dis fabricating News makes him more popular........Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Prince. No one says he's buying votes. He's quite a popular man in the grass roots unlike many of these politicians.
Emeka Solomon
Stop playing devil's advocateEndy Edeson
@prince: honestly, i'm not taking side. i see myself as a "critic". i know GEJ shortcomings and achievements likewise any of his opponents. i try to balance it in my reportage. i'm neither a GMD nor GEJ Person. What baffles me is the way things are done in Nigeria without due process. @jesse: i guess PRINCE didn't know this report is the LATEST from the military. the question is: is he still qualified to contest?Aduku Ameh Mayor
Not at all. @ Endy, don't mind GMB blind supporters. They aren't current.Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Endy. There's also a problem. This is the same man and the military that said his records were there if he wants it and all he has to do is to apply and he'll get it. Therein lies a big issue we're ignoring. What has changed since that last statement was made?. Why were they made in the first place? And who is making the military look incompetent?.Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Endy. He's still qualified. Why?. Cos the same statement cited he made his WASC except of course they're making it up. Really this is a shitty country. How can things change so fast that now his records are missing after debunking claims in the first place?.Onyinye Nwosu-Ekemezie
The real change starts when buhari will do the right thing by showing his certificate. Don't care to know who's involved. Let the right thing be done. Period. Don't he have the original? Haba!Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Endy. Aren't you concerned by the shifting of stance of the Military?. Its concerning to say the least.Aduku Ameh Mayor
@ Hamza since Buhari join army no bi them them dey rule? Na now jungle mature.Endy Edeson
@hamza: if discovered that BUHARI has no WASCE Certificate or its Equivalent, then he stand the chance of loosing his subsequent Certificates or credentials. but you know how things are done in our country, there will always be a way out for people like this. @Jesse: my only concern about the military is their inability to wipe out Insurgence in the country. we don't necessarily need international bodies to help us in our internal crisis except if ... #PrayforNaijaJesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Aduku. The military don't let people without academic records ascend in rank that much. Even for those that got in without it. Check and you'll see. It just never happens.
1Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Endy. You should also be concerned about a military with an agenda. Their ground shifting tells a lot and says manipulations are going on behind the scenes.Aduku Ameh Mayor
Ok how about photocopies?Hamza Abdullahi
@Mayor do you mean all Nigeria Army has no other tribe accept Hausa/ Fulani so that they can cover what ever happens isn'tJesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Endy. One of the problems of this country is being displayed here. The military should not get involved in politics, ditto the police but the case is so different here. But then again, the military still rule us.Aduku Ameh Mayor
I no talk so oo! But e bi like say u don answer urselfSmith Abiye
Maybe him flush am inside toilet.
Endy no tarnish anybody image o, STV news talk am today say army no hold him papers o.
Aduku Ameh Mayor
@ Jesse when d man lied against d military so they should keep muteJesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
@ Aduku. What lie is that?. The same military that came out and said if he wants it the records are available? And he just needs to apply?. What then brings the sudden change of statement?.Prince Adeola Rasheed
@Endy,,,,, u always said non of d candidates has ur backing ryt..? Buh y did u jump to conclusion to ask such a question.... Is he qualify..??? Common Endy stop bitten around d bush. Ain't u a man.? Nack d godama nail on d fucking head....@Jesse,,,,, D Military saga depends on who's in power and dey av no choice dan to dance to PDP rhythm. Wat if dey said Buhari neva serve dem talk less of having his certificate in dier custody..???