By: Manoah Kikekon
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| President Bola Tinubu and Service Chiefs |
ABUJA, Nigeria – In a decisive move to fast-track the nation's new security architecture, the newly appointed Service Chiefs arrived at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday for an expedited screening and confirmation process by the Senate.
The high-level military delegation, led by the nominee for Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, was accompanied by other senior officers. Their appearance came just hours after the Senate, heeding President Bola Tinubu's call for urgency, rescheduled the screening from next week to today, Wednesday.
The swift action was triggered after the Senate President, **Godswill Akpabio**, read a formal correspondence from President Tinubu seeking the confirmation of the new military heads. Akpabio stated that the rescheduling was essential to allow the new leadership to assume their duties without any delay, ensuring continuity in the country's fight against insecurity.
President Tinubu had explicitly urged the red chamber to give "expeditious consideration" to the confirmation process to maintain effective coordination of Nigeria's security apparatus.
This development follows the sweeping changes announced by President Tinubu on October 24, which saw a major overhaul of the nation's military high command. The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa.
The other new appointees include: Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye will retain his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence. All appointments are to take effect immediately.
General Oluyede, who only became Chief of Army Staff last year, now steps into the nation's top military role. He and his team take over from the outgoing service chiefs, who had been in office since June 2023 and oversaw significant military operations against insurgent groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits.
Details soon ....