The Senate on Tuesday resolved to probe “an infraction” said to have been perpetuated by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai on the appointment of the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), S. Ibrahim.
In a point of order raised by Senator Dino Melaye (PDP, Kogi), the senate was notified of the alleged illegality, citing section 5 of the NYSC act which allows only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint the Director General.
Melaye said: “The Chief of Army Staff through signal removed the DG of NYSC and through signal appointed his replacement.
“The act gave authority to the President. Previous Director Generals were appointed by the President. We are not in a banana republic. NYSC is not a formation of the Nigerian Army but on the enactment of the National Assembly.”
He prayed that the senate committee on youths and sports investigate the matter and report back in one week.
Senator Mao Ohuanbunwa (PDP, Abia) argued that since an infraction had been identified then the matter should not be probed but the appointment reversed.
Ohuanbunwa said: “Since the appointment is wrong, we should not be ask the committee on youth and sport to investigate but we should order that the new appointment be reversed or put on hold.”
But Senator Francis Alimikhena opposed the motion, noting that “the Chief of Army staff has the right to post any member to any position. He has the right.”
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki ruled on the matter saying, “let the committee establish if this is what happens and we will work based on the committee’s recommendation.”