The Senate will today, Wednesday, screen and possibly confirm the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu, in a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the nominees.
The President appointed Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. 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 Maj.
Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence. The Senate Committee of the Whole is expected to conduct the screening and confirmation today.
This development follows Tinubu’s closed-door meeting with the newly appointed military heads at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking his first formal engagement with them since last week’s major reshuffle.
The Presidency described the shake-up as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their patriotic service, urging the new appointees to uphold professionalism, unity, and vigilance in tackling the country’s security challenges.
The government expects the appointments to bolster inter-agency collaboration and enhance the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Mohammed Abubakar on Tuesday received the new service chiefs during a courtesy visit to his Abuja office—their first official engagement since assuming their new roles.
The military shake-up has fueled public speculation following reports of an alleged failed coup, which some outlets linked to the detention of several senior officers and the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade. Although the Defence Headquarters dismissed these claims as false, the opposition African Democratic Congress has urged the Federal Government to provide more transparency regarding the reported coup attempt and the circumstances surrounding the reshuffle.
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