BREAKING: Senate screens, confirms Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff following the screening of newly appointed service chiefs at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the Red Chamber amid tight security.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while addressing the nominees, said the screening exercise was part of the Senate’s constitutional duty to ensure only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with national security responsibilities.

“Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most disciplined and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity,” Akpabio stated.

The nominees, led by Oluyede, were screened by the Committee of the Whole chaired by Akpabio before their formal confirmation.

Their appearance followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu, read during Tuesday’s plenary, requesting the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.

Tinubu’s list included General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).

The screening comes a week after President Tinubu met with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, in what the Presidency described as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and improve inter-agency coordination.