Lawan reads Buhari’s letter on confirmation of new service chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the senate to confirm the appointment of the new service chiefs.

The president’s request was communicated via a letter read at Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The security heads to be confirmed are Leo Irabor, chief of defence staff; Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff; Awwal Gambo, chief of naval staff; and Isiaka Amao, chief of air staff.

The president also asked the upper legislative chamber to confirm the appointment of the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

Those appointed ambassadors include Abayomi Olonisakin, former chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Ibok-Ete Ibas, former chief of naval staff; Sadique Abubakar, former chief of air staff, and Mohammed Usman, retired air vice marshal and former chief of defence.

Buhari had nominated them for the positions a week after he replaced them as service chiefs.

The president asked the senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.