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 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.
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.”
The nominees are: the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd); former Chief of Air Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd); former Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshall Abubakar Sadique (Rtd), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd). The president urged the senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.
However, mixed reactions had trailed 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 Nigerians had faulted the president’s decision, citing the inability of the nominees to effectively tackle the insecurity challenges across the country, as it has become a reoccurring decimal.
They also hinged their criticism on the allegations of rights abuses and crimes against humanity levelled against the former service chiefs while they held sway as commanders of the country’s military. These include the 2015 massacre issue with the Shiites sect, violent attacks on members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), last October’s shooting of some #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, among others.
On their own part, a cross section of Nigerians believes that President Buhari’s decision had 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 moralism but noted that such is neither here nor there. They pointed out that foreign relations were not based on moralism but much deeper diplomatic issues and facts.
They described the nomination of the former service chiefs, namely, Buratai, Olonisakin, Ibas, Abubakar and the intelligence chief as putting a square peg in a square hole. They said these professionals with several years of experience had distinguished themselves, having served their fatherland meritoriously with patriotism. They, therefore, wonder when loyalty, patriotism and selfless service to one’s nation have become a crime. They insisted that nominating the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors by the president is in order and that President Buhari exercised his presidential prerogative and has not breached the law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They urged the National Assembly to, as matter of obligation, 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.
While not dismissing the apprehension of the critics of Mr President’s action, it is expedient to underscore the fact that although security of lives and property of every Nigerian is the primary responsibility of government, these chiefs have the rights to aspire to any position they so desire and should be accorded their civic rights and privileges. It now behooves on the hallowed chambers of the Senate to act based on their capabilities and patriotism.
