To
assert its innocence that the original credentials of former Head of State and
presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammad
Buhari (rtd), are not in its custody, the Nigerian Army has thrown the ex
leader a poser.
The
Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Laleye, asked:
"if indeed the Army is in possession of those certificates, why has he
(Buhari) not demanded for them since 2003 he forayed into presidential
elections and had other shots at the presidency in 2007 and 2011
respectively?"
The
Army spokesman wondered why this should be an issue now when the same candidate
had contested three times for the presidency and must have presented some sort
of credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He
insisted that contrary to insinuations, the Army does not have in its
possession the originals but only copies of credentials of all its officers
whether serving, retired or deceased, including those of Gen. Muhammad Buhari
(rtd).
While
responding to inquiries on the issue Saturday, Laleye explained that the
Military Secretary (MS) has the copies of the credentials, with the original in
possession of the individual officers.
Laleye
added that even the copies domiciled with the MS are accessible to their owners
within 24 hours.
"The
Military Secretary is the custodian of the military records of all officers
serving, retired or deceased. Therefore original credentials
are with the officer while copies are with the MS. Gaining access to
one’s credentials in the MS is possible within 24 hours", he said.
Tags
Politics