We will convince Buhari to sack service chiefs – Senate

The Nigerian senate revealed that it will prevail over President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the replacement of service chiefs.

The red chamber, in July passed a resolution seeking the removal of the service chiefs following their poor performance in the fight against insurgency in the north-east.

In his reaction, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said it is only President Muhammadu who has the power to take decision on service chiefs.

“We, however, still want to persuade the President to consider our resolution. The Presidency has said it is aware of our resolution and has pledged to look into it,” Basiru said.

“The presidency said it is not legally bound to carry out [our] resolution because it is the prerogative of the President to remove service chiefs.

“Our resolutions are just persuasive authority coming from elective representatives of Nigerians in the national assembly.

“It is not a law. It is advisory and persuasive. The response of the presidency is the correct position of law and I agree.

“Due to the principle of separation of power, we cannot compel the president to sack the service chiefs.

“We only responded to the feelings of Nigerians by asking the president to reorganise them [service chiefs] but he is not legally bound to do so.”

Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff; Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff, and Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, chief of naval staff, are all overdue for retirement.