By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
In line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on confirmation of the appointment of public officers by the Senate, President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.
The president’s letter dated January 27, 2021, was addressed to the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
In a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly matter (Senate), Senator Babajide 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.
Omoworare said contrary to fears expressed in some quarters saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had “bypassed” the National Assembly in the process of appointment of the Service Chiefs and has no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment, Mr President has upon nomination for the appointment, formally 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.”
President Buhari had last Tuesday appointed new service chiefs after accepting the retirement of former service chiefs who had overstayed their tenure, thus culminating in the rising clamour for their sack.
The newly appointed service chiefs are 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.
The National Assembly will resume plenary sessions on 9th February 2021. 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.