Defence Minister Bashir Magashi says President Muhammadu Buhari “expediently put national interest above ethnic and religion” in the appointment of Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff despite sidelining senior officers from the southern region.

The president on Thursday appointed Mr Yahaya to replace Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash last Friday.

The development was not welcomed by critics who accused Mr Buhari of nepotism for continuously overlooking the southern officers in key positions.

A document showing the hierarchy of officers and obtained by Peoples Gazette also indicated that the president overlooked top officers in the southern region.

The document titled “Seniority Roll NA Officers 2021 (Revised) – Regular Combatant” indicated that over ten senior officers in the southern region were ignored, as Mr Buhari appointed the new army chief.

But Mr Magashi, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mohammad Abdulkadri, applauded the president, saying he looked beyond religion and ethnicity in appointing Mr Yahaya, a native of Sokoto.

“He is an organic infantry general who is tested and trusted to actualise the national aspirations to restore peace in the dark spots and areas of insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, as well as other allied threats to the nation’s corporate existence,” he said.

“With the appointment of General Yahaya, President Buhari has expediently put national interest above ethnic and religious chauvinism by fulfilling all requirements necessary. These include his unblemished track records of service, professional, command, and operational competencies among other yardsticks that culminated into his emergence as most suitably qualified new army boss,” the minister said.

Mr Magashi also said the appointment was a “well thought-out strategic” one, just as he pledged support for the new army chief.

He further noted that plans were in place to immortalise Mr Attahiru and others who died in the crash.

The current administration has since 2015 come under criticism over disregard for ethnic and religious balance in federal appointments.

In his campaign in 2015, Mr Buhari had vowed to follow the principle of Federal Character.