Yusuf Bello| President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the national assembly asking for the confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs.
In a statement on Friday, the senior special assistant to the President on national assembly matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, said the communication was done via a letter to the Senate President dated 27th January 2021, in furtherance of Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the President’s gesture goes contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that the president has “bypassed” the national assembly in the process of the appointment of the Service Chiefs and that he has no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment.
The statement read, “Mr. President, upon nomination for the appointments, sought confirmation of the Senate for the appointment of 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, vide his aforementioned letter.
“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.”
Omoworare further stated that the national assembly is expected to consider the confirmation of the service chiefs when they resume plenary sessions on February 9, 2021.
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