Indications have emerged that some Army generals are lobbying for the position of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), following reports that current COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, is on admission at a foreign hospital undergoing treatment for a yet-to-be-disclosed health issue.
Army Headquarters (AHQ), through the spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, responded to the reports, saying Lagbaja is on leave and that arrangements are in place to ensure there is no vacuum in his absence.
An online medium, Saharareporters, had reported that the Army chief, who was allegedly flown out over the undisclosed ailment, is incapacitated, as a result of the sickness.
The medium said Lagbaja’s health had taken a turn for the worse, and that “he is now bedridden and incapacitated due to his deteriorating condition”, noting that it is causing significant concerns within the military establishment.
“His health is seriously deteriorating and he is currently incapable. He is on a sick bed; he can’t hear what people are saying again, just like someone with hearing problems. We are praying for his quick recovery”, it quoted one of the sources as saying.
“So it’s a very serious illness but the Army authorities can never disclose it now. Even before this stage, General Lagbaja was prepared to resign because of the health challenge.”
Consequently, there are indications that some generals, particularly of the Regular 40 and 41 intakes, who are the next most senior officer cadre following those of 38 and 39 Regulars, have commenced underground lobbying of traditional rulers, NASS members, top politicians and even former heads of state for consideration for appointment as the next COAS.
Tongues started wagging about the whereabouts of Lagbaja after he was conspicuously absent at the October 1, 2024 independence anniversary celebrations held at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
Since then, several other functions have taken place without his presence, including the burial ceremony organized for the late Major General Seidu Inaboya Musa, Director of Army Legal Services, at the National Military Cemetery where he was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major Gen Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim.
The online medium had reported that Lagbaja was flown abroad by his family members following the “strange illness”.
Quoting a source, the medium said, “The Chief of Army Staff is nowhere to be found for many days now. He hasn’t been seen at the Army headquarters or any military function in the last three weeks.
“I can confirm to you that he is seriously sick and was taken to the hospital. However, his family members arranged for him to be moved out of the country for medical treatment”.
“The COAS is a leader and most of the Major Generals are doing anyhow because they have no one to report to currently.
“Anybody can fall sick but someone needs to be in charge. I wish him a very quick recovery, I have known him since our days in Makurdi, Benue State. We were both young officers then and he was a captain.”
Another source told the medium, “As military men, we were taught to be observant, so I noticed he was not at the October 1 Independence Day parade ground in Abuja. I asked my superiors including a general and I was told that he was out of the country. You know, it is unusual for him not to be around at that time.
“Also, the 2024 promotion list of soldiers which was completed a few weeks back is yet to be signed by the COAS. I was told that the Chief of Administration cannot do it because it will escalate the COAS’s absence. Some of my subordinates who are due for promotion are already grumbling.”
‘No Leadership Vacuum’
Meanwhile, AHQ said, yesterday, that Lagbaja is on leave and that all necessary protocols were in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on his behalf, hence there is no vacuum in the force.
“This is not peculiar to the Nigerian Army as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence”, it said.