By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A total 29 Generals senior to Farouk Yahaya have been forced to retire by the Nigerian army to stabilise his position as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
In the military, a hierarchical operation, seniors do not take orders from juniors.
PREMIUM TIMES reports that the forced departures contradict the claim by Defence Headquarters last week that none of its personnel had been retired following the appointment of Yahaya, a member of Regular Course 37.
Yahaya, a Major General from Sokoto State, was named army helmsman by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 27.
He succeeded Ibrahim Attahiru, a Lieutenant General, who died on May 21 in a plane crash alongside 10 other military personnel while on official assignment to Zaria.
Shortly after the appointment of Yahaya, there were speculations that between 30 and 45 Generals, who are his seniors, may be retired.
The senior Generals are members of Regular Courses 35 and 36.
Dictates of tradition
Military tradition dictates that when a junior officer becomes service chief, his or her seniors proceed on retirement because seniors hate taking orders from juniors.
This also happens in the police and paramilitary forces.
Defence HQ denial
However, Defence HQ dismissed the speculation of massive retirement, saying the military high command had yet to authorise the retirement of any officer.
Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, a Brigadier General, told journalists at a briefing in Abuja last week that the retirement of senior officers is always voluntary.
“At this point, you are all aware of the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya,” Onyeuko said.
“This has stirred up a lot of rumours in the media about mass retirements in the military. I wish to use this medium to dispel such unfounded rumours as retirement is only on a voluntary basis for senior officers who desire to do so.
“At this point, no retirements have been authorised by the military high command.”
Generals retired
But a memo seen by PREMIUM TIMES shows that 29 Major Generals from Regular Course 36 have been approved to proceed on terminal leave, prelude to retirement, four days after Yahaya’s appointment as COAS.
They include J.B Olawumi, J.O. Akomolafe, C.O. Ude, G. Oyefesobi, M.O. Uzoh, C.C. Okonkwo, and M.S.A. Aliyu, U.M. Mohammed, B.M. Ashafa, N.E. Angbazo, Y.P. Auta, and S.A. Yaro.
Their leave was approved with effect from June 1.
The memo is, however, silent on Major Generals from Regular Course 35, who are also senior to Yahaya.
Below is the full list of Generals proceeding on retirement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES:
1. JB Olawumi
2. JO Akomolafe
3. CO Ude
4. G Oyefesobi
5. MO Uzoh
6. CC Okonkwo
7. MSA Aliyu
8. UM Mohammed
9. BM Shafa
10. NE Angbazo
11. YP Auta
12. SA Yaro
13. J Sarham
14. HE Ayamasoawei
15. OF Azinta
16. BA Akinroluyo
17. KAY Isiyaku
18. AT Hamman
19. AM Aliyu
20. HPZ Vintienagba
21. HR Momoh
22. JR Unuigbe
23. AA Jidda
24. OI Uzomere
25. MH Magaji
26. LA Adegboye
27. MA Masanawa
28. OA Akinyemi
29. AM Dauda