Buhari writes Senate, seeks confirmation of service chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the nomination of the new Service Chiefs.

The nominees are Major General Lucky Irabor, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively.

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The president’s letter seeking confirmation of the nominees was addressed to the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, dated 27th January 2021, said a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly matter (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Omoworare quoted the President as saying that the Senate confirmation was in furtherance of Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

He said contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari had “bypassed” the National Assembly in the process of appointment of the Service Chiefs and that he has no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment, Mr President, upon nomination for the appointment, sought confirmation of the Senate for the appointment of the service chiefs.

He said: “It is on record that this same procedure was adopted when the immediate past Service Chiefs were appointed.

“Upon announcement of the appointment of the then Service Chiefs – Major General Abayomi Olonisakin (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Ibok-Efe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff), Mr President had written the 8th Senate on 14th July 2015 for confirmation.

“Whilst the correspondence was read on the floor of the Senate on 28th July 2015, consideration and confirmation of the appointments was carried out at the Committee of the Whole on 4th August 2015.”

The National Assembly will resume plenary sessions on 9th February 2021.

Service Chiefs appointment

President Buhari had appointed new service chiefs on Tuesday, long after rising clamour calling for the sack of existing ones.

Major-General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff; and Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff;

A presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the appointment followed the acceptance of immediate resignation of the former service chiefs, and their retirement from service.

Adesina took to Twitter to announce the new appointments.