Ex- service chiefs are staging a come back – Gen Tukur Buratai, Olonisakin, others, are back

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated the just-retired service chiefs as non-career ambassadors-designate.

In a letter to the senate on Thursday, Buhari wrote: “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 nominees are:

• Abayomi G. Olonisakin, retired general and former chief of defence staff;
• Tukur Y. Buratai, retired lt-gen and former chief of army staff
• Ibok-Ete Ibas, retired vice-admiral  and former chief of naval staff
• Sadique Abubakar, retired air marshal and former chief of air staff
• Mohammed S. Usman, retired air vice marshal and former chief of defence

Buhari urged the senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week, appointed new service chiefs. The appointment was sequel to the resignation of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by the President’s Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, the new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

The statement said President Buhari congratulated the new Service Chiefs, and urged them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The statement said Buhari accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

The retired service chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The statement the President thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he called their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” and wished them well in their future endeavours.

There had been calls for the removal of the service chiefs following the worsening security situation in the country.