Buhari nominates Olonisakin, Buratai as ambassadors

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated the just-retired service chiefs as non-career ambassadors-designate.

In a letter to the senate on Thursday, Buhari wrote: “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.”

The nominees are:

• Abayomi G. Olonisakin, retired general and former chief of defence staff;
• Tukur Y. Buratai, retired lt-gen and former chief of army staff
• Ibok-Ete Ibas, retired vice-admiral  and former chief of naval staff
• Sadique Abubakar, retired air marshal and former chief of air staff
• Mohammed S. Usman, retired air vice marshal and former chief of defence

Buhari urged the senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

This is coming a week after Buhari replaced them as service chiefs.

In the official announcement, they were said to have resigned and then retired.