Appointment of Service Chiefs: Senate in daring move to tame President

Fred Itua, Abuja

Worried about the perceived non-adherence to the Federal Character principle in the appointment of Service Chiefs, the Senate has initiated moves to tame the powers of the President.

The Senate, according to a proposed law which has already passed first reading on the floor of the Red Chamber, said it wants to ensure that no part of Nigeria is left out or ignored in the appointment of Service Chiefs.

The Bill is sponsored by the Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe and is tagged: “Armed Forces Service Commission and other related matter 2020”.

According to the Bill, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Director of Military intelligence and Heads of other Arm-bearing Security Agencies, shall be appointed, subject to recommendations by the Senate.

If the Bill scales through, “the Commission shall have the power and authority pursuant to section 219 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to ensure that the composition/appointment of Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federation reflects federal character of Nigeria in the manner prescribed in section 217 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.”