‘Nigerians are disappointed’ — Wike faults senate over confirmation of ex-service chiefs as ambassadors

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, says the senate disappointed Nigerians concerning the confirmation of the ex-service chiefs as ambassadors.

On Tuesday, the upper legislative chamber confirmed Abayomi Olonisakin, former chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Ibok-Ete Ibas, former chief of naval staff, and Sadique Abubakar, former chief of air staff, as ambassadors following their nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senate confirmed the nomination, despite a petition against the ex-service chiefs.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday by Kelvin Ebiri, his spokesman, Wike kicked against the senate’s decision, and based his criticism on the “poor performance of the service chiefs” while in office.

“Nigerians are disappointed with the national assembly for confirming sacked service chiefs as ambassadors,” he said.

“I wonder why senators who agreed with Nigerians when they decried the poor performance of the service chiefs, will sit to clear them for another appointment.

“Let me use this opportunity to express the dismay of most Nigerians to the senate. Convey this to the senate. We must be courageous in whatever we are doing. Everything must not be party affairs.

“You (senators) sat and discussed that they should dismiss the service chiefs. You said they’re not performing.

“Now, the same people who were not performing, you have confirmed them as ambassadors. What kind of country are we?”