Senate Confirms Nomination of Ex-Service Chiefs as Ambassadors

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of the immediate past service chiefs as the non-career ambassadors on Tuesday, despite criticism from Nigerians.

The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, questioned the nomination and confirmation of the ex-service chiefs, arguing that the Senate had on three different occasions called for their sack.

The minority leader asked why the petitions against the former service chiefs were dismissed without explanations.

On his part, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, dismissed Senator Abaribe’s concern. He said that the nomination of the former service chiefs cannot be nullified simply because the red chamber had called for their sack. He added that this was totally a different assignment.

Lawan immediately stopped any further debate on the matter.

The Senate President concluded his statement by saying the former service chiefs have served the country to the best of their abilities.

He called on the Executive to utilize their expertise as much as possible and they should be posted to countries where their experience will be relevant.

On February 4, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated the immediate past service chiefs of the country as ambassadors.

READ ALSO: Senate To Screen Service Chiefs Behind Closed Doors Tuesday

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said this in a statement.

The former chiefs were Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, and the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Others included Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman.

The spokesperson revealed that Buhari has forwarded the names of the nominees to the Senate as non-career ambassadors-designate.

“In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.” The quote of the President in a letter addressed to the Senate President.

The President appealed to the red chamber to give speedy consideration to the nominations.

The former chiefs were appointed as non-career ambassadors-designate following their replacement with new officers.

They were said to have resigned their positions as there were increasing calls that they should be sacked due to the increasing rate of insecurity in the country.