Buhari Extends Tenure Of CDS, Service Chiefs

The approval was confirmed on Monday by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, in a statement by his Public Relations Officer, Colonel Tukur Gusau, adding that the President extended the tenures “having carefully reviewed the ongoing military operations across the country.”

With this development, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas will continue in office

The statement, however, did not specify the duration of the extension.

The letter reads: “The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forc of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff.

“This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.

“The Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali therefore congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria leading to their extension of service.”