Williams Anuku, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has told the leadership of the National Assembly that he would not succumb to pressure from them to sack the Service Chiefs, despite escalating insecurity in the country.
Reacting to a resolution by the Senate today (Tuesday) that the Service Chiefs should either resign or be sacked, the President reminded the Senators that “appointment or sack of service chiefs is a presidential prerogative.”
A terse statement issued by Presidential Media Adviser, Femi Adesina reads:“The Senate Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to the multi-pronged security challenges in the country.
“The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.”
Recalls that despite acknowledging that he was not satisfied with the level of performance of the security agencies, Buhari has ignored calls by various stakeholders that the service chiefs be relieved of their jobs.
Yesterday the President played host to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at the presidential villa, where he was briefed on security situation in the North-West and North East.
Buratai had told State House Correspondents after the meeting that Nigerians were culpable in the acts of terror being unleashed by bandits and terrorist groups.
According to Buratai, terrorism will come to an end, if Nigerians expose criminals in the society to security agencies, because they live among us.
