Jonathan Appoints New Service Chiefs

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday replaced his service chiefs with new ones. The new appointment is with immediate effect.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said in a statement that Air Marshal Alex Badeh will now take over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah will replace Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff.

Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff, while Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu will now replace Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.

“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the following changes in the nation’s Military High Command:
“Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.

The new appointment is coming before the expiration of 7-day ultimatum given by the Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo to President Goodluck Jonathan to obey an Abuja Federal High Court judgement of July 02, 2013 which declared the appointment of the service chiefs in the country as unconstitutional, illegal, and null and void whilst also restraining the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, from henceforth appointing service chiefs without the approval of the Senate.