Nigerians react after journalist ask President Buhari to pick new COAS from South-East

Nigerians on the social media platform, Facebook have reacted to the call by a journalist, Jaafar Jaafar to President Buhari with regard to his choice of Chief of Army Staff following the death of Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru.

In a post, the journalist opined that the new army lead must come from the South-Eastern part of the country.

The late COAS Ibrahim Attahiru died alongside 10 others on Friday, May 21 in a plane crash in Kaduna.

Jaafar said Buhari should choose Major General Benjamin Ahonotu who led the first major crackdown against Boko Haram and captured its leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

He further said that picking Ahonotu as the new COAS will also give the ailing unity of the country a little elixir.

The journalist wrote: "My choice is Major General Benjamin Ahonotu, who led the first major crackdown against Boko Haram and captured its leader, Mohammed Yusuf."

"To also give the ailing unity of the country a little elixir, this officer should be appointed the new chief of army staff."

Nigerians react

Hassan Mohammed Alkali wrote: "General Ben Ahonotu wasn't the one that captured Muhammad Yusuf but General Sale Maina GOC 3 division Jos."

HS Minjibir wrote: "He has to come from the North, the chief of defense staff is from the south."

Abubakar Sulaiman Akko wrote: "Wait till you contest the presidential election and win only then will your choice matter Jafaru!"

Ahmed Adamu wrote: "In my opinion too Maj Gen Ibrahim Yusuf Manu or Faruk Yahaya are the best choices."

Abdallah Gimba wrote: "The choice is at the discretion of the president, so why tempting fate?"

Femi Ogunshola wrote: "The next CoAS is a northerner, PMB cares not."

Sa'idu Adamu wrote: "Your choice is [a] bad choice."

His call comes off the back of a suggestion made by the former presidential staffer, Reno Omokri agitating for an Igbo military officer to replace the former Chief of Army Staff.

Mr. Omokri said the best "The best way to fight the rise of secessionists in the Southeast is not with guns, bullets, and helicopter gunships. Give them development."

Stop your nepotism. Be fair and balanced in your appointments. Consider an Igbo man to replace General Attahiru. Abandon the 97% versus 5% mentality.