[News] ‘Retaining service chiefs years after their retirement is unconstitutional’ – North East elders tell Buhari

Northern elders have asked president Muhammadu Buhari, to sack Nigeria’s Military Service chiefs saying the continued retention of service chiefs several years after the expiration of their retirement date was not only unconstitutional but could demoralize frontline troops.

The group of Northern elders known as The Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEPD), in a statement by its national coordinator, Zana Goni, said the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to announce the removal of service chiefs in his new year message was a sign that the Nigerian leader didn’t acknowledge the insecurity situation in the country.

 

 

The group also warned that the appointment of almost only Northerners to lead the Nigerian military was morally and constitutionally wrong and may have emboldened criminals and bandits.

They added that trying different ethic groups in the country’s security infrastructure will not only bring back the high morale of personnel but also return their zeal and vigour to protect Nigeria.

“At the moment, the most important thing for every Nigerian is security. They want their lives to be protected first. The National Assembly has since understood this and that is why as representatives of the people, they have called for more robust, efficient and effective security management for the country.

“We still stand by the position of the National Assembly where members unanimously resolved that the security chiefs be relieved of their positions to pave way for not only fresh hands but also fresh ideas in our security management strategies.”

“Sacking the current chiefs and subsequently replacing them with new ones will automatically change the game of insecurity as the morale of fighting officers will be boosted, new strategies will be launched, besides the flow of intelligence information among the security agencies.”

“Overhauling the nation’s security management team, without increasing the defence budget will undermine all efforts to improve security.

The elders then concluded by urging the government to provide huge budget for the military so they can destroy the nation’s adversaries.