Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information, has given reasons President Muhammadu Buhari cannot lead Nigeria’s military against Boko Haram terrorists.
Chad President, Idriss Deby led troops last week Saturday and captured Boko Haram’s arm store in Sambisa.
The attack against the insurgents was in retaliation for an ambush which killed over 90 soldiers.
This led to many Nigerians challenging Buhari to emulate Deby in order to motivate the troops.
However, Momoh, one of the national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said Buhari as the Commander-in- Chief of the armed forces does not need to lead the troops as he can monitor the military from anywhere in Nigeria.
According to him, the Chadian troops are well trained in desert and guerilla warfare unlike Nigerian soldiers, hence reason for their success against Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking with Independent, Momoh said: “Every country has its own priorities. The fact that President Deby led Chadian troops to fight Boko Haram doesn’t mean he is at the war front and shooting guns. He was in the helicopter following them from place to place and they dealt with Boko Haram
“Look at the army, we have the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs who head different operations; we also have commanders of different sectors. Which of them will Buhari lead if he wants to go and confront Boko Haram?”
“Buhari is the Commander-in-Chief and can monitor our military wherever he is. Why should he go and lead the war himself? Is it because he was a military president? What if he is a civilian president?
“President Buhari cannot copy President Deby. Do you know the population of Chad?
“Boko Haram has been attacking Nigeria from Chad but when they now attacked Chadian army, the President had to lead the Chadian and retaliate.
“Chadian army is a well-trained army in guerilla warfare. They have been fighting insurgency for years and spent more money on arms and ammunition than any other challenges they have.
“Chadian army is also a very hardened army, well groomed in desert and guerilla warfare,” Momoh said.
Meanwhile, the leader of Boko Haram sect, Ibrahim Shekau has appealed to the Chadian troops to leave his fighters alone.
