Boko Haram: Umahi Gives Reasons Why Buhari Must Not Sack Service Chiefs

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has said the sack of service chiefs may derail the fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

Speaking in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi, during the groundbreaking ceremony of Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Umahi said he disagrees with the call by the National Assembly for the sacking of the service chiefs.

The governor stated that the military needed more funding and information from the citizens.

“I want to disagree with the National Assembly in my own view about the change of service chiefs. One thing I have realised is that we like change too much in this country. We want everybody to taste every seat,” he said.

“That is not what we need at this critical time of our security challenges. What we need is cooperation with the security agencies.

“Without undermining the former inspectors general, this Inspector General is a very different human being. He is a very stubborn man but stubborn to the policies and law of the land. And that is the person this country needs. The Chief of Army staff is also a very committed person. Very friendly to the civil society.”
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Speaking further, Governor Umahi pointed out that nothing can be done against insurgency and criminality without information.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to increase funding and the frequency of the meeting with the service chiefs.

“This is very important. And at this stage even when you change, whoever you bring is going to learn the ropes. And I believe that whatever decisions the service chiefs are not taking by them alone they are taken by also the senior officers,” he added.

“So I will be suggesting to Mr President in support of his retaining the service chiefs that we should increase their funding of the armed forces, we should increase their logistics, we should increase the programme that will bring information to the security agencies.

“So I support Mr President that instead of changing the service chiefs to rather increase their funding and increase the frequency of his meetings with them. And also encourage civil society to come up with information that will assist the security agencies.”