By Christel Odili
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff,
the Chief of Air Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.
The approval was confirmed by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, who noted in a statement by his Public Relations Officer, Colonel Tukur Gusau, on Monday that the President extended the tenures “having carefully reviewed the ongoing military operations across the country.”
According to the statement, “The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etelkwe lbas. the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff”.
“This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (l) and (2) of the I999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised”.
“The Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali therefore congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria leading to their extension of service”.
The statement, which did not specify the duration of extension, means that the CDS, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, the army chief, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, the air chief, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the naval chief, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, will continue in office.