Ambassadorial Appointment: Senate confirms ex-service chiefs

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of the immediate past Service Chiefs as ambassadors in spite of petitions against them.

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.

Also, former intelligence Chief, Mohammed S Usman, was also confirmed.

The Senate confirmed their appointment after Muhammed Bulkachuwa, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, presented a report for the consideration of the senate.

President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed the ex-seevice chiefs as non-career ambassadors after they resigned their previous positions.

Nigerians had expressed mixed feeling about the appointment based on their records of handling insecurity in the northeast.

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.