TheCable

The army has dismissed claims that Nigerians of the northern extraction constitute a major percentage of successful candidates for its short service combatant course 47/2021 selection board.

The list was released on Friday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mohammed Yerima, director of army public relations, alleged that an online media made the claim in a publication on Monday.

He described the report as “uncharitable and blatantly divisive” attempts to whip up sentiments from a “straightforward” exercise.

“The publication alleged that the list of successful candidates for Short Service Commission 47 Selection Board which was published on 26 Mar 21 was dominated by the North, while the South East had the fewest candidates. It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army strictly complies with the Federal Character policy,” the statement reads.

“Accordingly, an equal number of 8 candidates were selected from each state of the federation, except in rare instances where a state did not have the required number of eligible candidates to fill its 8 vacancies. In such an instance, the vacancy will be filled by a contiguous state from the same Geopolitical Zone.

“Following this number allocated per state, the South East which is made up of 5 States was entitled to 40 candidates.

“However, 2 extra vacancies were allocated to the geopolitical zone thereby making a total of 42 candidates instead of 40. North Central for instance has 7 states (FCT inclusive). Taking 8 candidates from each state in the geopolitical zone gives a total of 56 in addition to 2 extra vacancies as was also allocated to the South East gave the total of 58 candidates.

“It is therefore quite uncharitable and blatantly divisive for any media organisation to whip up sentiments from such a straightforward exercise conducted by the Nigerian Army in the best interest of the Nation.”

Yerima, therefore, urged the public to always seek clarification from the army whenever in doubt on any issue, rather than rushing to publish reports that will be defamatory to its image and “injurious to Nigeria’s unity”.