Reactions have continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of service chiefs.
Development Diaries reports that Tinubu approved the replacement of all service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, advisors, and Comptroller-General of Customs.
The new officers are Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Advisor, Major General C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, Major T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, and Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff.
Others are AVM H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police, and Major General EPA Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Meanwhile, there have been ethnicity-based arguments regarding whether the Chief of Naval Staff is from the igbo speaking part of Enugu State, southeast Nigeria.
A controversial tweep, Daniel Regha, said, ‘The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla is reportedly from Enugu State’.
The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla is reportedly from Enugu State. APC supporters are using this to address the tribalism issue, but are quick to forget that only one person from the South-east was appointed (among 21 appointees); So it doesn’t really count.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) June 19, 2023
This tweep, @brodabarth, also had this to say, ‘Tinubu made 21 appointments. For equity, three should come from each geopolitical zone, but only one is from SE; Tinubu’s supporters say it’s a good ethnic spread, and that SE should even be grateful, after all they didn’t vote for Tinubu. BAT indeed is continuing PMB’s legacy of divisiveness’.
Tinubu made 21 appointments. For equity, 3 should come from each geopolitical zone, but only 1 is from SE Tinubu’s supporters say its a good ethnic spread, & that SE should even be grateful, afterall they didn’t vote Tinubu. BAT indeed is continuing PMB’s legacy of divisiveness.
— Brother Barth (@brotherbarth) June 20, 2023
While another tweep, Okonkwo Ifeanyi, said, ‘One of the wisest choice President Tinubu made was given a Southern Kaduna Man, Maj-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff and the appointment of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, a South Easterner, from Enugu precisely, Chief of Naval Staff’.
One of the wisest choice President Tinubu made was given a Southern Kaduna Man, Maj-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa Chief of Defence Staff and the appointment of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, a South Easterner, from Enugu precisely, Chief of Naval Staff. pic.twitter.com/2zi3mvv9K9
— Okonkwo F. Ifeanyi (@wisemanokonkwo1) June 20, 2023
For former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, he believes that the tribal arguments are unnecessary as the constitution recognises state, not tribe or ethnic nationalities.
The statement by some that the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, is not from an Igbo speaking part of Enugu state may have been misunderstood. Yes, it is unnecessary, but I don’t think they meant ill. Give such persons the benefit of the doubt. Our…
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 20, 2023
The question of where the tribal chiefs hail is not necessary. The concern should be what the services chiefs have to offer.
Insecurity does not respect tribe or religion, rather it affects everyone.
Development Diaries calls on citizens to disregard tribal concerns and, instead, focus on the security reform that Tinubu promised Nigerians and hold him accountable, accordingly.
