The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has provided insight into the process that led to the appointment of an Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a decision reached by the military leadership in coordination with President Bola Tinubu.
General Musa noted that this development marks an unprecedented step in the history of Nigeria’s Armed Forces. He made these remarks yesterday in Abuja as Major General Olufemi Oluyede assumed office as the newly appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff.
President Tinubu appointed Oluyede on Wednesday to temporarily fill the role while the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, remains on medical leave.
The decision followed a statement from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) highlighting that appointing an acting army chief was previously unaddressed in the Harmonised Armed Forces Act.
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Musa, who presented the handing over note to Oluyede, said: “I’m not sure where we are, but the event today is something that is new that has never happened in the history of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“The president and I met with the authorities. We have decided and directed and appointed an acting chief of army staff with the full power to lead the Army until the president decides otherwise,” he said.
However, he stated that the military, as a professional force, would remain committed to carrying out their assigned duties.
“No doubt, based on the challenges we have in the country and the wisdom of the President/ Commander-in-Chief, today, we present the authority to the Acting Chief of Army Staff for him to have full control and command of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Gen Musa charged the officers to support the acting COAS to continue with the legacies of Lt-Gen Lagbaja.
He said, “Nigeria is going through several challenges; we need all hands on deck. This is the main reason why the president decided to appoint the acting chief of army staff so that there will be continuity to avoid any gap. We cannot afford to lay back and allow insecurity to continue to prevail. It is important that we all clearly understand this and give the acting chief of army staff all the support to make sure he’s successful. General Lagbaja is somebody we all know. We know him as a regimented fine officer.
“He would not want any gap to occur in his absence and that is why this event is taking place. So, I want to count on all of us, whatever issues we have in mind, whatever thing or opinion, please put it that Nigeria must survive. The armed forces must survive. The services must survive. That is the paramount call. I would like everybody to put his hands on deck and let us succeed.
“To all our commanders out in the field, the challenges are there; we want to commend them for all their efforts. We know they are performing magic. We want to urge them not to relent. The bandits, the terrorists, the criminals are not relenting; we must not relent.”
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Still on the acting COAS’ appointment, the CDS said, “Permit me to go through a few words here. Reference A is a presentation directed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Nigeria on October 30, 2024. Reference A conveys the appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Nigeria for the Army Field Group this year, on August 30, 2024.
“The President/ Commander-in-Chief directed that Major General Oluyede would act in the position of the Chief of Army Staff pending the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
“This is in line with the provisions enshrined in the Armed Forces Act, Cap A-20, the Laws of the Federation 2003-2004, Parts 7, Administration, Government and Command, Sections 18-1-4, Abundance of Service Deeds.
“The Service Chiefs shall have the command, direction and general supervision of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively.
“The president may, before consulting with the Chief of Defence Staff, consult with the Forces Council, but the question as to whether any consultation was held, or what happened in the course of consultation, shall not be inquired into.
“Section 19; Powers and Command of Members of Operating Services if so far, the power of command depends on ranking.
“A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or any other military unit who is acting together with any of the Service Chiefs, or within his unit, or any part thereof, shall have the right powers as a member of the corresponding rank of the respective services. And for the purpose of an act or a mission relating to subordination or like offence, that member shall be treated as if he were a member of the corresponding rank of the respective services.
“Section 22. Regulation as to Command/ The President may make regulations as to the passing in what command over the establishment and unit for any member thereof is vested, as to the supposed and due to command of the service to be exercised and without prejudice to the generality of the following. May such regulations provide for the duties, functions, and powers of command and staff of the Armed Forces.
“By this appointment, the responsibilities of administering the Nigerian Army now rest on you. Your responsibilities are wide and varied and cannot be covered in this administrative note. This note is only an administrative procedure. To follow, all shall yield to your new responsibility and to begin to immediately continue administering the affairs of the Nigerian Army.
“It is expected that at the end of this formal event, you will be briefed extensively by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army and other Principal Staff Officers, Reserves of the Army according to the course of your duties. Accordingly, you have to note that your installation was based on your vast knowledge of military leadership at all levels as well as your character and competence.
“You are a member of a larger team of professional soldiers who are saddled with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by land, sea and air as captured in our constitution.
“It is therefore expected of you to consolidate and improve on the achievements of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.A. Lagbaja as well as past Chief of Army Staff, to sustain the high level of professionalism, discipline, resilience and regimentation that the Nigerian Army is known for all over the world.”
In his acceptance speech, Oluyede pledged to uphold the legacy of the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
He said the event was not the usual system but “because we have an unusual situation, we have to treat it as such.”
Oluyede assured the president of his loyalty and committed to serving wholeheartedly to enable the substantive chief to receive the necessary medical care.
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