Top Nigerian Military Generals Asked to Retire Before Monday

The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria has ordered several top military generals to retire before Monday. This directive came in a memo dated June 26, issued by Maj Gen Y. Yahaya on behalf of the chief of the defense staff. 

The decision is in line with the military tradition that when new service chiefs are appointed, their senior officers are expected to proceed on compulsory retirement.

The directive applies to senior generals, brigadiers-general, air vice marshals, and rear admirals in the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Air Force who are seniors to the newly appointed service chiefs. 

The retirement of these senior officers is a customary practice in the military when junior officers are promoted to the position of service chiefs. It is based on the belief that senior officers may not readily take orders from their juniors.

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The retirement of the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and other service chiefs appointed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was approved by President Bola Tinubu. 

The newly appointed service chiefs are Lieut Gen Farouk Yahaya (Chief of Army Staff), Air Marshal Oludayo Amao (Chief of Air Staff), and Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (Chief of Naval Staff).

The decision to ask top military generals to retire before Monday is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining the hierarchy within the military. 

It allows the newly appointed service chiefs to assume leadership roles without any potential conflicts or challenges from their senior officers. 

This practice is deeply rooted in military traditions and is seen as a way to maintain discipline and chain of command.

When new service chiefs get elected in Nigeria, it is tradition for senior military officers to resign before Monday. 

Having an apparent chain of command makes it possible for newly appointed leaders to take up their positions without fear of interference from their more senior counterparts.