Senate Screens Defence Leadership Amid Strategic Appointments

The Senate has commenced the screening of Lt General Olufemi Oluyede for the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), along with the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

The process began when the CDS and other Service Chiefs were ushered into the hallowed chamber at 12:46 p.m.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), proposed that since the Senate had previously screened and cleared Oluyede for the role of Chief of Army Staff, a second screening was unnecessary. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio overruled the motion, stating that Oluyede’s new appointment warranted a fresh address to the Senators regarding his background, career, and experience—particularly his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.

At present, General Oluyede is addressing the Senate.

Also present for the screening are 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; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye; and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate requesting the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs. The letter was read on Tuesday by Senate President Akpabio.

According to the letter, the nominees include Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke.

Following the reading of the letter, the nominations were referred to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation.