The Senate has confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The lawmakers began the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs on Wednesday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Oluyede was confirmed barely an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the complex amid tight security.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed that the screening is a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding Nigeria.
“Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for the years of dedicated service you have rendered to our great nation,” he said.
He further noted that the exercise is part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility to guarantee discipline and professionalism within the armed forces.
Akpabio concluded by saying that the chamber is looking forward to a constructive interaction that would strengthen the nation’s security system.
“Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity,” he added.
Their appearance follows a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, urging the Red Chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.
The President listed the nominees as General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).
The screening comes just a week after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.
