By Augustine Ehikioya
Reacting to social media reports, the Nigerian Navy has denied allegations that the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, is hanging unto power.
The reports claimed that CNS Gambo has refused to handover to the new CNS.
A statement by the Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore, AO Ayo-Vaughan, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said “The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious publication by some online media such as Peoples Gazette, opr.news, hallmarknews and others alleging the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo CFR to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla.
“The media reports are totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public.
“It is therefore necessary to put the record straight.
“Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural. Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.
“Accordingly, the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday 23 June 2023 in line with age-long naval tradition.
“Instructively, it is pertinent to mention that sister Services are also due to hand over as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies,” it stated.
Members of the public, the statement said, are therefore advised to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a “figment of the reporter’s imagination.”
