By Adesina Soyooye
The South East Zone of Nigeria has again been excluded from the membership of President Buhari’s Service Chiefs.
The Zone has been complaining of its absence from Nigeria’s security leadership.
But it had hoped that one of its sons would be considered in the appointment of new Service Chiefs whenever the President decides to do away with his much criticised Chiefs he appointed in his first tenure, and had kept renewing their tenures, ignoring persistent outcrires from Nigerians, including the leadership of the National Assembly.
On Tuesday, the President dashed the hopes of the South -East. He found none of them capable, even though the zone parades many qualified officers.
Announcing the new Service Chiefs, main Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.
“Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; 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.
President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours.
“The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Alao, Chief of Air Staff.
“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”
