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Senate opens confirmation hearing for newly appointed service chiefs.
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General Olufemi Oluyede appears before lawmakers as Chief of Defence Staff.
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President Tinubu had urged quick approval to strengthen security command.
The Senate on Wednesday commenced the screening of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff alongside the newly appointed service chiefs following a formal request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The confirmation session began at 12:46 p.m. when the military chiefs were ushered into the chamber of the upper legislative house.
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Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti Central, had proposed that General Oluyede be exempted from re-screening since he had earlier been confirmed as Chief of Army Staff.
However, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, overruled the motion, stating that the nominee must address senators on his new responsibilities and provide updates on his career and experience in office.
At press time, General Oluyede was making his presentation before the chamber, highlighting operational priorities and security reforms under his leadership.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for New Service Chiefs
Also present for the screening were the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye. The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, was also in attendance.
In a letter read on the floor by Senate President Akpabio, President Tinubu requested the screening and confirmation of the nominees, noting that their appointments were necessary to ensure stability and effective coordination in the nation’s defence structure.
The Senate had earlier shifted the screening to October 29, following communication from the Presidency urging expedited consideration.
The new appointments mark a significant reshuffle in the military hierarchy, with General Oluyede replacing General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Others include Major-General Waheedi 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 service chiefs arrived at the National Assembly complex at about 10 a.m. in the company of senior officers before being ushered into the chamber for the proceedings.
Senate President Akpabio assured that the process would be transparent, with all nominees required to answer questions relating to their strategies for national security, military welfare, and counter-insurgency operations.
