Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has said President Bola Tinubu's appointment of new Service Chiefs was done with religious and ethnic balance in mind.

Omokri also stated that the appointment didn't leave out any geopolitical zone in the leadership of vital military, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies.

In a post on X, he said, "The changes made by President Tinubu amongst the service chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are commendable. Not only do they display a religious balance, but they also reflect an ethnic and geopolitical balance, showing a deliberate effort by a President committed to giving every part of Nigeria a sense of belonging.

"At the top, we have General Olufemi Oluyede, a Christian from Ekiti State, as Chief of Defence Staff. He is followed by Major-General Waidi Shaibu, a Muslim from the North-Central, as Chief of Army Staff.

"Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the new Chief of Air Staff, is a Christian from Enugu State, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas is a Muslim from Kano State and is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

"Additionally, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye, a Christian from Cross River State, retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

"With these appointments, no geopolitical zone in Nigeria is left out of the leadership of vital military, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies, especially when considering that the National Security Adviser, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the CEO of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit are all from the Northeast.

"For a religiously, ethnically, and culturally heterogeneous nation like ours, it takes a thinking leader to walk the tightropes and ensure that everyone has a place and that there is a place for everyone.

"Once again, I commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sagacity and vision, and I pray that God will help the new service chiefs to perform at their best for Nigeria."

ASA