By Deborah Nnamdi
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of Service Chiefs after a two-hour closed-door screening session.
Those confirmed include Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
The confirmation followed President Tinubu’s formal request to the upper chamber to screen and approve the nominees in line with constitutional provisions.
During the closed-door session, senators engaged the nominees on their plans to strengthen intelligence coordination, modernise military operations, and rebuild public trust in the armed forces.
At the end of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation of the nominees to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved.
Akpabio commended President Tinubu for the appointments, describing the new Service Chiefs as experienced and credible officers capable of repositioning the nation’s security architecture.
He added that the Senate’s approval reflects renewed national confidence in the administration’s security reforms and demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.
The Senate President also lauded his colleagues for devoting the entire plenary to the confirmation exercise, calling it an act of patriotism and dedication to national security.
