The presidency has said that the four service chiefs who were replaced today by President Muhammadu Buhari, had to leave to allow fresh energy in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security challenges confronting the country.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today which was aired today, January 26, said that the former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Abayomi Olonisakin, ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar and the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas only left their positions because it was time to inject fresh energy in the security system.
“The fact that they have to leave today does not mean they have failed. No, I wouldn’t think so. It is just that it is time to have fresh energy, fresh blood and fresh ideas in the theatre of battles where the military is involved in the country.
“The president in the statement also commended the outgoing service chiefs for their contribution to engendering a safer country –that shows that by and large he was satisfied with their performances and he just felt it is time to rejig the system, have fresh energy, fresh blood and fresh ideas. But it should be on a record that he commended them and their services to the country.
“These ones that are leaving today have been there for about five years and five months. It is a matter of doing what is right at a given time.”
President Buhari had earlier today, January 26, appointed the new service chiefs.
