The speculations were fueled by a report claiming that the Defence Minister has sent letters to the Chief of Defence Staff, General ABAYOMI OLONISAKIN and the Chief of the Naval staff Vice Admiral IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS, directing them to retire this week.
The report further claimed that the directive was based on the orders of President MUHAMMADU BUHARI, but the Defence Minister said it is false.
The Defence Minister however maintained that the appointment and replacement of service chiefs remains a prerogative of the office of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
The position of the minister was contained in a statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Colonel TUKUR GUSAU.
