The authorities of the Nigerian Army have said the service will readily release credentials and certificates in its custody to serving and retired officers in need of them.
The Director, Amy Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, said in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the procedure for the retrieval or collection of the certificates was known to all serving or retired officers of the military.
The Army spokesman was reacting to a declaration by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd), that his credentials were with the military.
Our correspondent asked Laleye if it was true that the military was keeping the General’s certificates.
Buhari had said in an affidavit he deposed to at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on November 24, 2014 and received by Independent National Electoral Commission on December 18, 2014, that all his certificates were with the Secretary, Military Board.
“I am the above-named person and deponent to this affidavit therein.
“All my academic qualifications, documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit. The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose,” Buhari stated.
But Laleye stated that the Army would not refuse any officer whose certificates were in its custody from getting them if the existing procedure was followed.
He said the Army could not have deprived anybody access to his credentials since the credentials did not belong to the service.
He said, “Every serving and retired Army officer has at least a copy of his certificates and credentials kept in the Nigerian Army while that same serving and retired officer has copies of those same certificates and credentials.
“And there is a laid-down procedure to request for certificates. It is known to any serving and retired officer.
“If you want anything checked in your file, you simply follow the due process and it would be given to you because the credentials belong to you.”
“The Nigerian Army does not refuse to give anybody his credentials if the due process is followed. Now, take note of this. Not only does the Nigerian Army keep these things, the individual officers, whether serving or retired, have copies.” Punch
Thank you Officer for that truth. Why was Buhari telling us lies about the certificates?
What truth?But the certificates are with them as claimed by GMB.
Can Buhari be trusted? Why is he engaging in shenanigans and decieptfulness concerning his certificates? Does he think he can insult all Nigerians, all of the time? How could a man with this specious character and sophistry be a leader of Nigeria at this crucial point in our narrative history? Seriously speaking, Buhari couldn’t be trusted. This is beyond politics but more about his personal character which seemingly lacks honesty.
I do not understand all these hullabaloo about this certificates of a thing.Tyarow,do not be too personal.Leave GMB alone.If you do not want him to be president do not vote for him,simple.
Common private employers now are requestong of original certificate of individuals,talk more of who is going for Nigeria president for that matter.if buhari is careless of his certificate can’t he be careless of the nation also. This is a cpmplete hulabalu atualy,is it a musy that military boad have to present cpoies of buharis certificate?those that mean he did not keep his original copy of his particular,wow what inec is saying? What military boad is saying?this is complete hulabalu
It is an insult to ask a former head of state for certificate. By his service record he is over-qualified to rule Nigeria at any time. What kills some of our top men are their utterances and temperament when faced with political challenges.