Senate makes u-turn, set to confirm new service chiefs Wednesday, Oct. 29

The Senate has rescheduled Wednesday, October 29 to screen and confirm the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The appointments are as part of ongoing efforts to overhaul the nation’s security architecture.

Persecondnews reported that Tinubu had in a letter read at Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominees.

The President named Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff; and Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Initially, Senate President Akpabio sent the President’s request to the Committee of the Whole, scheduling the screening for next week.

The Senate has since fast-tracked the process, moving the confirmation screening forward to today, October 29.

This sudden development comes just 48 hours after President Tinubu’s closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa—his first formal engagement with the military hierarchy since last Friday’s major reshuffle.

The Presidency had described the shake-up as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.”

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

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

The administration believes the new appointments, once confirmed, will enhance inter-agency coordination and strengthen the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security threats nationwide.