The senate says it will persuade President Muhammadu Buhari
to consider its position on the removal of service chiefs.
In July, the upper legislative chamber passed a resolution
calling on the service chiefs to “step aside” over their abysmal performance in
containing the insurgency in the north-east.
But in a swift response, Femi Adesina, special adviser to
the president on media and publicity, said it is only President Muhammadu who
can take a decision on service chiefs.
In an interview with PUNCH, Ajibola Basiru, senate
spokesman, said although the resolution is advisory, it represents the views of
Nigerians who elected them into office.
“We, however, still want to persuade the President to
consider our resolution. The Presidency has said it is aware of our resolution
and has pledged to look into it,” Basiru said.
“The presidency said it is not legally bound to carry out
[our] resolution because it is the prerogative of the President to remove
service chiefs.
“Our resolutions are just persuasive authority coming from
elective representatives of Nigerians in the national assembly.
“It is not a law. It is advisory and persuasive. The
response of the presidency is the correct position of law and I agree.
“Due to the principle of separation of power, we cannot
compel the president to sack the service chiefs.
“We only responded to the feelings of Nigerians by asking
the president to reorganise them [service chiefs] but he is not legally bound
to do so.”
Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai,
chief of army staff; Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff, and Ibok-Ete Ekwe
Ibas, chief of naval staff, are all overdue for retirement.
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