By Ayo Yusuf
Three weeks after the appointment of new service chiefs, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate requesting their confirmation.
They were appointed in June 19 when the Senate was on recess and could not be screened and confirmed by the Senate in accordance with the laws of the federation.
Senate President Akpabio who read the letter at the resumption of the plenary session on Tuesday, said the service chiefs would be screened by the entire Senate in its chamber at a yet-to-be-announced date.
He explained that ordinarily they would have been screened by the relevant committees including the committee on Army, Navy and Airforce but since the relevant Standing Committees were not in place yet, the Service Chiefs would be screened by the Committee of the Whole of the Senate.
The service chiefs to be confirmed are 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.
President Tinubu said in his letter that the request was in compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The letter read in part, “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.”
