The senate has confirmed the appointment of the immediate
past service chiefs as ambassadors.
The former service chiefs are Abayomi Olonisakin, former
chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Ibok-Ete
Ibas, former chief of naval staff, and Sadique Abubakar, former chief of air
staff.
Mohammed S Usman, former intelligence chief, was also
confirmed.
The upper legislative chamber confirmed the appointment of
the former service chiefs after Muhammed Bulkachuwa, chairman of the foreign
affairs committee, presented a report for the consideration of the senate.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed them as non-career
ambassadors after they resigned their previous positions.
Some Nigerians had expressed their displeasure with the
appointment on the grounds that the past service chiefs failed to quell the
insurgency in the north-east and to keep the country safe.
While presenting the report on Thursday, Bulkachuwa said the
nominees met the requirements expected of them.
“The nominees responded satisfactorily. At the end of the
screening exercise; their nominations are in line with section 171 of the 1999
constitution,” the Bauchi senator said.
“That the nominees have been cleared by the Department of
State Services (DSS). That the nominees have presented their code of conduct
slips.
“That the nominees rose to a point of their career that has made them eminently qualified. The committee is satisfied with their character and performance.”
But Enyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader, drew the attention
of the senate to a petition against the ex-service chiefs.
According to Abaribe, the petition borders on the integrity
of the senate.
“That petition borders on the integrity of the senate; it
said that we called for their removal, how then do we confirm them for another
appointment,” the Abia senator said.
But Senate President Ahmad Lawan opposed the minority
leader.
“The nomination cannot be nullified because we asked them to
be changed,” the senate president said.
The nominations were confirmed after Lawan put them to a
voice vote.
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