Nigeria has been grappled with insecurity, especially the Boko Haram terrorism, for over a decade now. Despite various military victories in the last five years of the current administration, the issue remains yet unresolved. Over time, experts have suggested that Nigeria needs better international collaboration to finally defeat the insurgents. Without a doubt, this remains true!
This is because there have been allegations that Boko Haram receives international support. To win the war, there will be a need to get support from outside Nigeria to cut their chains of monetary and weapon supplies. This is why the recent nomination of the immediate past service chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari as non-career ambassadors is not only significant and historic, but also a good reward for their meritorious services to the fatherland.
The ex-service chiefs come in with years of experience in the war against the insurgents. Even in America, most diplomats are CIA spies or ex-military officers. Some Nigerians have, however, attempted to question the president’s nomination of the immediate past service chiefs and his request for their expeditious confirmation by the Senate as non-career ambassadors, which came barely a week after their resignation.
Some of these Nigerians faulted the president’s decision, citing the inability of the nominees to effectively tackle the insecurity challenges across the country as a reason.
But it is in my opinion that the nomination, which is an ample demonstration of Mr. President’s appreciation for the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of these illustrious sons to the protection of democracy, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria, will, no doubt, go a long way to engender patriotism among the citizenry. Besides that, the nominees are: the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (retd.); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.); former Chief of Air Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.); former Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshall Abubakar Sadique (retd.), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (retd.) have over 20 years combined experience tackling insurgency.
Their military experience will be key in gathering intelligence and negotiating deals for Nigeria with countries where they will be posted to. Just like the president, every Nigeria wants an end to the security challenge currently bedevilling the country. I join my voice to the call by the president urging the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.
In a letter to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawal, President Buhari said: “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed 5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.”
President Buhari’s decision to nominate the ex-service chiefs has not violated any extant law of the land, international treaty or convention. Those in this school of thought are of the view that the call for the rejection of the would-be appointees could only be based on morals, but noted that such is neither here nor there. It is important to state that foreign relations and diplomacy are not based on morals, but much deeper diplomatic issues and facts.
The nomination of the former service chiefs, namely Buratai, Olonisakin, Ibas, Abubakar and the intelligence chief is without doubt the proverbial putting a square peg in a square hole. African Centre for Leadership and Good Governance (ACLG’s) in a press release issued recently in Lagos by the executive director, Dr. Chindo Nkweke, and executive research assistant, Hassan Bature Muhammed, the duo said nominating the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors by the president is in order, that the president exercised his presidential prerogative and has not breached the law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ACLG insists that the National Assembly is under obligation to consider the nominations on the basis of merit, qualification and capacities and that the onus now falls on the Senate to use its screening and approval processes in tandem with the law of the country, to favour these men of tested loyalty and professionalism.
As the nominations mean a reward for hard work and exceptional sacrifices and a service to the nation, the past service chiefs are really worthy ambassadors, who deserve to be honoured with the service of further pushing the country forward in foreign relations and international diplomacy. Reiterating that their services will be required in global security challenges and counter-insurgency matters across the globe, particularly the sub-Saharan region, while also bringing their wealth of experience to bear in assisting the country in its insurgency war with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
I believe the president who nominated them has his genuine reasons for doing so. They may not have arrested the insurgency in the North-east region totally, but they did their best in the circumstances they found themselves in. They served the nation to the best of their abilities as service chiefs. Now that they are retired and transiting to another sphere of life, it is imperative to remind them of the tasks ahead.
There is no doubt that these are professionals with several years of experience who have distinguished themselves, having served their fatherland meritoriously with patriotism. One, therefore, wonders when loyalty, patriotism and selfless service to one’s nation have become a crime.
Their nomination should be seen as an ample demonstration of President Buhari’s appreciation for the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of these illustrious sons to the protection of democracy, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria, and will no doubt go a long way to engender patriotism among the citizenry.
Again, while not dismissing the apprehension of the critics of Mr. President’s action, these chiefs have the rights to aspire to any position they so desire and should be accorded their civic rights and as it is now at hallowed chambers of the Senate to act based on their capabilities.
I commend President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of the former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors, which we believe is borne out of a sincere desire to enthrone loyalty, hard work as well as promote patriotism among the citizenry.
I congratulate the ambassador-nominees and urge them to bring their military prowess to bear in the diplomatic circle with the aim of resolving the rising insecurity in the country which has been largely attributed to international complicity.
Aigbegbele, a political analyst, writes from Abuja
