The Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali has denied rumours that he issued a directive ordering the retirement of two service chiefs: Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of the Naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
In a statement on Monday by the Public Relations officer the Minister of Defence, Colonel Tukur Gusau, Dan-Ali said no such letter was written stating that the appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief
The statement read, “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali was drawn to some online publications claiming that he has sent letters to the Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of the Naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas directing them to hand over their offices on or before Friday, 16 december.
“Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement. The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.
“Please endevour to always balance your stories from the right sources to avoid mischief.”
Earlier on Monday the Defence Headquarters also dismissed the reports as baseless and unfounded rumours.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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