Senate Screens Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Behind Closed Doors, Confirmation Expected Today
The Senate has conducted a closed-door screening of the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The screening, held on Wednesday, comes with strong indications that his confirmation will follow later in the day.
Before the session commenced, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, addressed journalists, explaining that the closed-door approach was necessitated by security concerns. He emphasized the significance of the legislative process in confirming nominees, noting that on Tuesday, the Senate received President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s formal request for Oluyede’s confirmation.
Senator Yar’adua highlighted the crucial role of the National Assembly in ensuring peace, order, and good governance, describing it as the only arm of government empowered to uphold laws and judicial pronouncements impacting national security.
He stressed the importance of security sector governance, which aims to enhance state and human security by ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of institutions and their operators. Acknowledging Nigeria’s pressing security challenges, he commended the Armed Forces for their gallantry in combating terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of criminality, often at great personal sacrifice.
“This screening exercise intends to assess your professional skills, experience, and strategic security vision for defending Nigeria,” Yar’adua said, addressing Oluyede. “It focuses on maintaining territorial integrity, suppressing insurrection, and aiding civil authorities in restoring order.”
He also mentioned the Committee’s interest in the nominee’s proposals for military funding and personnel welfare, underscoring their relevance in addressing the nation’s current security landscape.
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