The Senate will on Wednesday commence the screening and possible confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The exercise marks a key step in the President’s ongoing efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.
In a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the list of nominees.
The nominees include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Waidi 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.
Okay News reports that the Senate President has referred the President’s request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and possible confirmation, which is expected to take place today.
The development follows a closed-door meeting President Tinubu held with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. The meeting was his first formal engagement with the military leadership since last Friday’s reshuffle.
The Presidency described the shake-up as a strategic move aimed at “strengthening the national security architecture.” Tinubu also commended the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”
The President charged the new appointees to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, and unity as they take on their new roles in securing the nation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday received the new military chiefs during a courtesy visit to his office at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The visit marked their first official engagement with the minister following their appointments. The government believes the new leadership, once confirmed by the Senate, will enhance inter-agency coordination and strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
However, the reshuffle comes amid widespread public speculation following reports of an alleged failed coup and the detention of several senior military officers. The Defence Headquarters has dismissed such reports as “false and malicious.”
The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has since urged the Federal Government to ensure greater transparency regarding the recent changes in the military hierarchy and the rumours surrounding them.
