The Nigerian Senate has today confirmed the appointment of Service chiefs nominated by president Buhari following the exiting of former Service chiefs Tukur Buratai and others. The confirmation followed the report submitted by the Senate Committee on Defence to the plenary. The committee chairman who is also a former Governor of Sokoto state, Aliyu Magatakardan Wamako, explained in his report that all the nominees made themselves available for the screening to the lawmakers conducted on 3rd February 2021.
Consequently, the nominees were taken all through relevant rules and section of the constitution that talks about the screening of a nominee especially their qualification and certification whether they are fit for the office. He reminded the plenary that the candidate was already in an acting capacity in accordance with the law that established the Nigerian military, which suggested their immediate confirmation would bridge any gap in the military leadership.
In his statement, “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Defence on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Accordingly, the lawmakers approved the following service chiefs;
1. Maj. General Lucky Eluonye Onyenucheya Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff
2. Maj. General Ibrahim Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff
3. Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff
4. Air Vice Marshal Isiaka O. Amao – Chief of Air Staff
Subsequently, while admonishing the service chiefs, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, enjoined the service chiefs to take the battle to the criminals in the forest.
Lawan promised the service chiefs that the Senate will always offer them whatever type of support they may require in carrying out their duty, saying the level of abducting school children must be stopped.