File photo: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
By Deborah Nnamdi
The Senate has scheduled Wednesday for the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and other Service Chiefs.
The decision followed a formal request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed in two separate letters to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read during Tuesday’s plenary.
In the letters, President Tinubu cited Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as the legal basis for the nominations, urging the Senate to consider the matter urgently.
After reading the correspondence, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole and announced that the screening and confirmation exercise would hold on Wednesday.
Akpabio explained that the Senate’s decision to screen all the Service Chiefs simultaneously was driven by national security considerations, noting that prompt confirmation would ensure smooth leadership transition within the military.
“This matter is of utmost national importance. A swift confirmation process will ensure seamless transition and enhance coordination in our ongoing efforts to combat insecurity,” Akpabio said.
President Tinubu had, on Sunday, appointed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa.
Others appointed include Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
The Senate’s move to expedite the confirmation process underscores the growing cooperation between the Executive and Legislature in strengthening national defence leadership and ensuring operational continuity across the armed forces.
