The Senate on Tuesday began the screening of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt.-General Olufemi Oluyede, and other Service Chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu.
The nominees, including the CDS, were ushered into the Senate chamber at exactly 12:46 p.m. to commence the screening exercise.
During the session, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion suggesting that General Oluyede should be exempted from screening, noting that he had already been vetted and confirmed earlier as Chief of Army Staff.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio overruled the motion, explaining that since Oluyede is now being appointed to a new position, it was important for him to appear before lawmakers to speak about his career, experience, and vision, especially in light of his previous role as Chief of Army Staff.
At press time, General Oluyede was addressing the Senate. Also present for screening were 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; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye. The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, was also in attendance.
President Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking the screening and confirmation of the new Service Chiefs. The letter, read last week by Senate President Akpabio, listed the nominees as General Olufemi Oluyede, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke.
The Senate President subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and confirmation.
