Posted by By LUCKY NWANKWERE, MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja and PATRICIA ONYEKWERE, Lagos on
President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday effected major changes in the security apparatus of the nation, which involved all services of the armed forces.
President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday effected major changes in the security apparatus of the nation, which involved all services of the armed forces.
In the shake-up, the National Security Adviser, Gen Aliyu Gusau was dropped as well as Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Alexander Ogomudia, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Jonah Wuyep.
In a circular, with reference No. SGF.2/1V697 dated May 30, 2006 and signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Uffot Ekaette, the Federal Government named Army Chief, Lt. General Martin Luther Agwai, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Chief of Air Operations, Air Vice Marshall Paul Dike and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Owoye Andrew Azazi, are to take over as Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Army Staff respectively. Major Gen. Sarki Muktar (retd) was appointed National Security Adviser.
The statement said President Olusegun Obasanjo has approved the appointments, which take effect from June 1, 2006.
In another circular marked SGF.2/1X/698 dated May 30, 2006 and signed by Ekaette, the Presidency also announced the elevation of the new CDS and service chiefs to their next ranks. Consequently, the new CDS, Lt. General Martin Luther Agwai, has been promoted four-star general, just as Azazi and Dike are now Lt. General and Air Marshall respectively. The promotions also take effect from June 1, 2006.
Sources in the Presidential Villa revealed that unlike Ogomudia who has long been due for retirement, Gen. Gusau was said to have been sacked as NSA as a result of his alleged clandestine moves to succeed President Obasanjo in 2007.
The former NSA is believed to have quietly launched himself into the presidential race while using his office to discredit other major contenders in the contest.
Besides, Daily Sun gathered that Gen. Gusau was relieved of his job after security reports showed that he held secret meetings with Vice President Atiku Abubakar to undermine the authority of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Gusau's replacement, Maj. Gen. Muktar, is a one time national security adviser under the late Gen. Sani Abacha and former military governor of Katsina State.
When President Obasanjo came into office in 1999, he appointed Muktar an ambassador in Russia. The new national security adviser is said to enjoy the confidence of the young elements in the Obasanjo