Senate Fixes Wednesday for Screening Of New Service Chiefs

The Senate will on Wednesday screen the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu as part of ongoing efforts to overhaul the country’s security architecture.

Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary, called for the “expeditious consideration” of the nominations.

The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Akpabio subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation on Wednesday.

The nominations came less than 48 hours after President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was his first formal engagement with the military hierarchy since last Friday’s sweeping reshuffle.

The Presidency had explained that the changes were “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen the national security architecture.”

Tinubu, in his letter, also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

He urged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by promoting professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.

The administration believes the new military leadership, once confirmed, will strengthen inter-agency coordination and intensify the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges across the country.