Senate confirms ex-Service Chiefs as Ambassadors-Designate

The Senate on Tuesday ignored all petitions against the former service chiefs and confirmed their appointment as Ambassadors-designate.

President Buhari had last week written to the Senate seeking their confirmation as Ambassadors-designate.

They were appointed few weeks after their retirement from service after 66 months as Service chiefs.

Those confirmed as Ambassadors-designate are former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas,  and Sadique Abubakar, former chief of air staff.

A former intelligence chief,  Mohammed Usman, was also confirmed.

The upper legislative chamber confirmed the appointment of the former service chiefs after Muhammed Bulkachuwa, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, presented a report for the consideration of the senate.

While presenting the report on Thursday, Bulkachuwa said the nominees met the requirements expected of them.

“That the nominees have been cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS). That the nominees have presented their code of conduct slips.

“That the nominees rose to a point of their career that has made them eminently qualified. The committee is satisfied with their character and performance.”

But Enyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader, drew the attention of the senate to a petition against the ex-service chiefs.

“That petition borders on the integrity of the senate; it said that we called for their removal, how then do we confirm them for another appointment,” the Abia senator said.

But Senate President Ahmad Lawan opposed the minority leader.

“The nomination cannot be nullified because we asked them to be changed,” the senate president said.