By Chesa Chesa
Following his rejig of the nation’s military hierarchy on Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed service chiefs to be vigilant, deepen professionalism and promote unity within the Armed Forces.
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The President gave the charge in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Thursday, while announcing his new appointees to replace those he replaced with immediate effect.
He said the new appointments were part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and enhance operational effectiveness.
“I have approved changes in the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture. I charge the new Service Chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within our Armed Forces as they serve our nation with honour”, the President wrote.
Under the new arrangement, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, becomes the Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General W. Shaibu is the Chief of Army Staff; Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is appointed Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is named the Chief of Naval Staff.
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other former Service Chiefs for their “selfless service and dedicated leadership,” assuring that the new appointments reflect his administration’s resolve to ensure a secure and stable Nigeria.
The President’s charge to the new helmsmen may be interpreted as hinting at reasons for the reorganization of the top security architecture, but his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, shortly after clarified that it was a routine administrative exercise carried out in line with his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Dare made the clarification while reacting to media reports suggesting that the leadership changes signaled internal discord within the administration.
He described the appointments as part of the President’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
He emphasized that appointments and reappointments in the security sector remain the exclusive preserve of the President, guided by his duty to safeguard national security and ensure effective leadership within the Armed Forces.
“It is a routine. The President, as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, can make such appointments just as he changed ministers a few months ago,” he added.
