Mixed reactions over appointment of new Service Chiefs

Alao Abiodun

The appointment of new Service Chiefs has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians.

The Nation had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday announced the replacement of Service Chiefs.

In the statement, Femi Adesina said Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

“PMB appoints new Service Chiefs. Maj Gen LEO Irabor, CDS, Maj Gen I Attahiru, Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo, Navy, AVM IO Amao, Air Force. He congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country,” Adesina tweeted.

Irabor replaces Defense Chief Abayomi Olonisakin, while Army Chief Tukur Buratai is succeeded by Attahiru.

Gambo is to head the Navy, replacing Navy Chief Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas while Amao takes over from Air Chief Sadique Abubakar.

Recall that the replaced Service Chiefs were appointed by President Buhari in 2015 after he was elected to his first presidential term but there has been a widespread clamour for their sack as Nigeria continued to wallow in security challenges.

The Senate, House of Representatives and Nigerians have persistently called for the sack of Service Chiefs.

Nigerians however took to social media to express their thoughts over the new replacement.

While many commended the President with the optimism the tenure of the new Service Chiefs would usher in peace and stability, some others noted that their replacement was ‘long overdue’.

Reno Omokri said: “I commend General Buhari for listening to voices of reason and sacking his clueless and nepotistic service chiefs. Good riddance to bad rubbish. It is disappointing that he maintained his practice of appointing largely Northern Muslim males, but half bread is better than none”

Dr. Dípò Awójídé said: “Finally, Buhari has fired and replaced the Service Chiefs who were appointed in 2015. We are in a mess and insecurity is a major issue. I hope the new Service Chiefs will deliver”

Shehu Sani said: “Service Chiefs removal; better late than never. To the new Chiefs; Confront and end the killings, kidnappings and the violence in Nigeria and restore law and order!”

Kelvin Odanz said: “Buhari finally changes the service Chiefs. Welcome development.”

@potter_lite on Twitter said: “I’m not a pessimist but let’s be sincere here…. The appointment of new service chiefs won’t bring any changes to the security situation in the country. The problem is not the service chiefs & the Buhari government knows this.”

Read Also: PHOTOS: Meet Nigeria’s new Service Chiefs

@__Babangeeda said, “Though some Nigerians believed @Mbuhari waited too long before he listened to the public cries regarding the sacking of the service chiefs; howbeit, it’s better to be late than never”

@bulamabukarti “Pres. Buhari has just replaced the Service Chiefs according to multiple media reports. We urge the new chiefs to take a careful, genuine look at the security challenges across Nigeria, grasp the huge challenge before them & work flat out to tackle it. May they succeed.”

@Morris_Monye “If President Buhari thinks the Service Chiefs had “Overwhelming achievements” and thinks giving them a soft landing by “accepting their resignation” is the best, then it speaks of incompetence from the Presidency. Saying “I fired them” sends a message that you are in charge”

Bello Shagari said “The best news I have heard this year is the appointment of the new service chiefs. I am so excited, not because it will abruptly bring the end to the years of insecurity, but at least we would give another set of military men the opportunity to grow and try their best.”

@mrfestusogun said “Now that the Service Chiefs have been sacked, can they now proceed to the International Criminal Court to face trial over their heinous crimes against humanity?”

“Don’t shout Hallelujah or Alhamdulilihi for the locomotive announcement of new service chiefs. Not Uhuru yet. Shine your eyes Nigerians.” Senator Dino Melaye tweeted.

@AbdulMahmud01 said, “If the New Service Chiefs cannot put down markers with which future leadership of our country will be judged, we will be done as a nation. As men born during our country’s turbulent years – 1965 -1966 – they’ve to make the vision of 60’s generation count, by: ) Ending the BH war”

@Bulamacartoons, “I don’t think we should be congratulating the new Service Chiefs considering the daunting task ahead of them.”