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The Nigerian senate on Wednesday confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of service chiefs.
Those confirmed are Olufemi Oluyede as chief of defence staff, Wahidi Shaibu as chief of army staff, Idi Abbas as chief of naval staff, and Kennedy Aneke as chief of air staff.
Tinubu had, in a letter addressed to the upper chamber, requested the screening and confirmation of the nominees.
The senate subsequently devoted its Wednesday plenary to the exercise, holding a closed-door session that lasted over two hours.
During the session, lawmakers engaged the nominees on their plans to strengthen intelligence coordination, modernise military operations, and restore public trust in the armed forces.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio later put the question for their confirmation to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved by the chamber.
Speaking after the confirmation, Akpabio commended the president for the selection, adding that the nominees possess the experience and credibility required to reposition the military.
“The Senate had deliberations with the nominees of Mr. President for the offices of Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Defence Staff,” Akpabio said.
“All the senators interacted with them, and there were various suggestions and questions from all the states of the federation including the FCT. They have answered all questions in the course of the interactions.”
He said the confirmation of the nominees represents a renewed national confidence in the Tinubu administration’s security reforms and a clear signal that the government remains focused on protecting the lives and property of citizens.
“On the whole, we believe this will renew the hope of Nigerians in respect of restoring security to our nation,” Akpabio added.
“Although security is everybody’s business, we found them fit and very capable — almost all of them emerging from the theatres of war in different parts of the world and different parts of the country.”
He also praised the senate for devoting its entire sitting to the confirmation exercise, describing it as an act of patriotic duty.
“We congratulate President Bola Tinubu for making these choices, and also congratulate the Nigerian Senate for suspending every other item to go into this issue of screening, approval, and confirmation,” he said.
“May God Almighty guide all the service chiefs, together with the Chief of Defence Staff, to add value and enhance the security of lives and properties in our nation.”
Tinubu had appointed the new service chiefs on October 24, following reports of a foiled coup plot.
Their confirmation by the senate now formalises their appointments which is expected to take immediate effect.
