Why Buhari Won't Change Service Chiefs — Senator Hanga Reveals

former member of the House of Representatives and Senator representing Kano Central, Senator Rufai Hanga has expressed his worry over the current state of the nation. He however, gave reasons why Buhari won't change his service Chiefs at this time.

In an interview, Senator Hanga said that he was concerned about the rising level of insecurity in the country. He noted that the statement given by Garba Shehu, Buhari's spokesperson on the Borno Killings, who blamed the farmers for not taking clearance from the army, was very embarrassing and scandalous. "Nowhere in the country is safe", he said.

However, when the senator was asked about Buhari's response to the renewed call by the National assembly to sack his Service Chiefs, Hanga said the president has refused to act on reasons best known to him. He further mentioned that the president is allegedly afraid of a coup and that the president himself once mentioned it. Even though the president said their best is not good enough, the president's fear of an impending coup will not let him sack them.

These were some of his words:

"The Senate and the House of Representatives have made this call several times, but the president has refused to act for the reasons best known to him. Some people say he is afraid of coup. He once mentioned it that he didn't want to change the Service Chief because there were very ambitious officers down the ladder. That means he is afraid of coup".

Senator Hanga also said that the call by the National Assembly is a mere political statement and that nothing will happen if the president refuses to turn up or remains adamant about the issue.

According to Hanga also, the president cannot be Impeached. "Sometime ago", he said, "a member of the House of Representatives said they were signing a resolution to impeach the president, but when he brought the paper to a Northerner, he said he doesn't like the president but will not sign for a Yoruba man to take over".

In conclusion, Hanga, when he was asked on his view on the general outlook of things, he said that the government has realized that it has failed woefully. So, it is up to PMB to do what's best for the country or lose his integrity when he leaves office. Apparently, the president can be compelled by the National Assembly to act by way of veto, but it depends on whether the National Assembly is up and doing as they have failed so many times like in the Electoral Act Bill.

Personally, I'd urge the president to do the right thing now, otherwise he'll regret not having made certain decisions when he leaves office as well as lose respect from Nigerians. How do you take "fear of coup" to be the reason for the president's adamant attitude towards his service Chiefs?