The Senate on Tuesday asked Nigeria’s Service Chiefs to resign their position following the deteriorating security in the country. The resolution asking the Service Chiefs to resign was moved by Senator Francis Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun) and seconded by Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers). Fadahunsi said that the present crop of Service Chiefs should step aside for the new ideas to come in so as not to jeopardize the security system.
The motion was approved by a voice vote. The Service Chiefs are; The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
The Senate also urged the Federal government to urgently intensify the provision of modern security equipment to enhance the operational capability of the armed forces.
While making his presentation, Senator Ali Ndume expressed worry over the rising killing of military officers and the recent voluntary retirement of no fewer than 356 Army officers from service. He noted that the continuation of this trend would have serious implications on the fight against insurgency and banditry.
Relatedly, Senator Istifanus Gyang (PDP, Plateau) said the reports of repeated loss of life of soldiers and the unprecedented resignation of many others showed the level of disaffection among the officers.
Accordingly, the Senate mandated its joint committees on Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Defence and Interior to investigate the alleged desertion by soldiers at the war front.
In his closing remarks, Senate president Ahmad Lawan noted that that the armed forces were trying their best to secure the country, but their efforts are not enough.
Lawan stated that “The spirit of this motion is that our armed forces are trying hard just like the president said. The good is still not enough but we need to continue to encourage them. We need to continue to provide for them. They lay their lives on behalf of all of us and of course, it is very sad that some of them are deserting, are alleged to have deserted the war front. We need to get to the bottom of this.
‘Presidency reacts’
Reacting to the call by the Senate, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that the appointment and sacking of Service Chiefs remain the prerogative of President Buhari.
He stated that “The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to multi-prolonged security challenges in the country.
“The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential Prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times,” he said.