The present dominance of the Igbo race of major political offices in Nigeria is set to continue as President Goodluck Jonathan is said to have pencilled the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, as Nigeria’s next Chief of Defence Staff.
Already, Igbos from the South-East occupy the offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Chief of Army Staff, etc.
Investigations revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, who has put in 35 years in service, may soon vacate the position.
Besides Ihejirika, the other service chiefs are Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim of the Nigerian Navy and Air Marshal Diko Umar of the Air Force.
According to military sources, the new change may be announced on October 4.
Investigation revealed that Vice-Admiral Ola, the current Chief of Naval Staff, and Ihejirika are the two topmost contenders to the highest military position in the country.
Vice-Admiral Ola is the most senior of the three service chiefs currently, but military sources said Jonathan seems poised to disregard his seniority and give the position to Ihejirika.
You may wish to know that between 1999 and 2012, Nigeria has had six Chiefs of Defence Staff out of which only one is from the Navy.
While the Army has already produced three CDS, the Air Force has produced two. Vice-Admiral Ola is from the Navy that has produced only one CDS.
Besides Ihejirika, the other service chiefs are Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim of the Nigerian Navy and Air Marshal Diko Umar of the Air Force.
According to military sources, the new change may be announced on October 4.
Investigation revealed that Vice-Admiral Ola, the current Chief of Naval Staff, and Ihejirika are the two topmost contenders to the highest military position in the country.
Vice-Admiral Ola is the most senior of the three service chiefs currently, but military sources said Jonathan seems poised to disregard his seniority and give the position to Ihejirika.
You may wish to know that between 1999 and 2012, Nigeria has had six Chiefs of Defence Staff out of which only one is from the Navy.
While the Army has already produced three CDS, the Air Force has produced two. Vice-Admiral Ola is from the Navy that has produced only one CDS.
