By Kabiru Abdulrauf
The Senate is set to screen the newly appointed Service Chiefs today (Wednesday, October 29), after moving the exercise forward from its earlier scheduled date next week.
The announcement followed the reading of a letter from President Bola Tinubu by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, in which the President sought the confirmation of the appointments in line with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominees to ensure seamless coordination within the nation’s security structure.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, while I hope that the Senate will consider this request expeditiously,” the President wrote.
Senate President Akpabio explained that the schedule adjustment was necessary to allow the Service Chiefs to assume duty without delay, noting that the Committee of the Whole would handle the screening directly during plenary.
“Distinguished colleagues, in view of the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff, I plead that we consider and clear all the Service Chiefs at the same time so they can proceed to work without delay and ensure there is no gap in security,” Akpabio said.
The Senate’s decision comes just days after President Tinubu announced major changes in the military hierarchy, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede, formerly Chief of Army Staff as the new Chief of Defence Staff. He also retained Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence, while naming new heads for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
With the confirmation process now brought forward, the new military leadership is expected to begin work immediately as the government continues efforts to strengthen national security coordination.
