The presidency has given more details on the sacking of the nation’s service chiefs and the appointment of fresh ones by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina noted that Buhari didn’t replace the service chiefs due to pressure from Nigerians but because the time was right.
He noted that the president felt it was time to rejig and inject fresh people into the system, adding that the appointment and firing of service chiefs is an exclusive constitutional preserve of the president which he carries out according to his prerogative.
Adesina said on Channels TV: “The President knew the time to do it and I believe the time has come and that is why it has been done.
“I don’t think it is a matter of right or wrong, it is just a matter of doing what is best for the country at the best time.
“It will not be right to say one side was right or one side was wrong because the President even in the statement we issued, also commended the outgoing service chiefs for their contribution to engendering a safer country.
“That shows that by and large, he was satisfied with their performances and he just felt it was time to rejig the system; have fresh energy, have fresh blood, have fresh ideasâ€.
Naija News recalls President Buhari on Tuesday announced the new service chiefs as Maj Gen LEO Irabor as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen I Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Rear Admiral A Z Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and AVM I O Amao as Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
Those who just exited the office are General Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
