Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of service chiefs

The Senate has been urged by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the appointment of new service heads.
The request was made in a letter that was read aloud in plenary on Tuesday and was written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to Tinubu, the request for confirmation complied with the Act creating the Armed Forces.
Last month, Christopher Musa, a major general, was named as the new chief of the defense staff (CDS), while Taoreed Lagbaja, a major general, was named as the new chief of the army staff.
In addition, Hassan Abubakar, an air vice marshal, was named as the chief of the air staff by Tinubu, and Emmanuel Undiandeye, a major general, was named as the chief of defense intelligence.
He asked the Red Chamber to act quickly on his proposal.
In the absence of the Standing Committee on Armed Forces, Akpabio submitted the request to the Committee of the Whole after reading the letter.
As a result, rather than at the committee level, the Service Chiefs will be scrutinized on the Senate floor.
The letter read reads,
“In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004, I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate, the four nominees listed below as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Senate is invited to note the current security situation of our country which requires concerted efforts of both the legislature and the executive to ensure a well-protected Nation.”
The letter added, “Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff and AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
“This informed the review of our Defence Architecture and appointment of new leaders to work in synergy with one another to achieve the level of optimal performance expected of the Military.
“While I hope that the request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the Senate.”