By Desmond Ekwueme
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, on Monday, ordered the compulsory retirement of all service chiefs, replacing them with new appointees. Tinubu struck again, few days after suspending the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, and the Governor of Central Bank Godwin, Emefiele. In an unpredicted move, the president’s ‘hammer’, was also extended to the Inspector-General of Police.
The President had met with the sacked service chiefs, days after his inauguration. However, he neither gave a clue nor did his body language suggest an impending action of this magnitude. Interestingly, it wasn’t just the service chiefs who did not envisage an overhaul of the system. Many Nigerians, perhaps, expected the president to retain a good number of them, after all, the president had promised to “continue” where former president Buhari had left off.
President Bola Tinubu’s Appointments: Same of the Same?
Nevertheless, Nigerians are already reacting to the new appointments. While some argue that it has a shade of ethnic colouration, others are of the opinion that President Bola Tinubu has shown intentionality in his first few days in office. They believe he has shown signs of better days ahead, compared to the pattern of Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments. They say that the latter’s appointments were largely sectional, ethnic laden and with smacks of religious prejudices. Majority has hail Tinubu for “clearly taking a new and different course” compared to the appointments of his predecessor.
It may interest you to know that President Tinubu’s Chief of Defense Staff, Maj-Gen CG Musa is a Northern Christian from Zango Kataf area of Kaduna State. The Chief of Army Staff for the first time in eight years, is going down South with Maj-Gen T.A Lagbaja occupying the position. The Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral E.A Ogalla is equally a Christian. The Acting Inspector-General is Kayode Egbetokun from the South West.
Below Are the New Appointments:
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu – National Security Adviser
Maj. Gen. C.G Musa – Chief of Defence Staff
Maj. T. A Lagbaja – Chief of Army Staff
Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla – Chief of Naval Staff
AVM H.B Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff
DIG Kayode Egbetokun – Acting Inspector-General of Police
Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye – Chief of Defense Intelligence
READ ALSO – Abdulrasheed Bawa: Nigeria’s Secret Police Detain Suspended Anti-Graft Boss After “Inviting” Him
The President also approved the following appointments:
Col. Adebisi Onasanya – Brigade of Guards Commander
Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf – 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja
Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa – 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State
Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim – 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger
Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) – Commanding Officer State House Artillery
Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) – Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) – Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) – Commanding Officer, State House Armament
Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) – Second-in- Command, State House Armament
Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointments of two (2) additional Special Advisers and two (2) Senior Assistants, as follow:
Hadiza Bala Usman – Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
Hannatu Musa Musawa – Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel – Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)
Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim – Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)
Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.
Jerrymusa.com concludes that, beyond the usual rhetoric of ethnic balancing and federal character Nigerians mustn’t lose sight of the real issues. What Nigerians need now, more than anything else, is the security and safety of lives and property. Nigerians need a conducive economic climate where businesses can thrive and wages can last longer.
It remains to be seen if these new appointees represent the proverbial round pegs in round holes, or just individuals filling spaces without tangible value. Nigerians would also like to see the president wield his powers as provided by the constitution. President Bola Tinubu should promptly replace any of these chiefs and aides who falls below par or is found culpable of corruption and any other acts that could tarnish the integrity of the administration.