SERVICE CHIEFS: Presidency tells Senate to back off

…Senate also wants to investigate the recent departure of 365 soldiers as Presidency determines to keep service chiefs

The Presidency has reacted to the resolution of the Senate demanding the resignation of Service Chiefs, saying their removal is only subjected to presidential prerogative.

In a swift reaction to the Senate’s resolution, the Presidency maintained that the appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative.

“President Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times,” the Presidency said in a tweet.

The Senate on Tuesday had demanded that the service chiefs should resign over rising insecurity plaguing the country.

It was the resolution of the Senate after the motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.

The service chiefs whose efforts to halt swelling insecurity most especially in the northern part of the country have yielded little results are asked to step down.

Read also: BOKO HARAM: Reps investigate mass resignation of Nigerian soldiers

While giving his remarks on the resolution, Senate President Ahmed Lawan commended the efforts of the quartet of Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; and Ibok-Ete Ekwe, Chief of Naval Staff who are due for retirement, but affirmed that they have to resign in the interest of the country.

The upper arm of the National Assembly also ordered the committee on security to investigate recent mass departure of 365 soldiers.