Senate screens Oluyede for confirmation as COAS

The Senate Committee on the Army on Wednesday screened the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for possible confirmation.

When confirmed, Oluyede, who was appointed on October 30 by President Bola Tinubu, will become the army chief.

He will replace the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who died on November 5.

However, Oluyede’s screening took place behind closed doors.

In his remarks before the camera session, the chairman of the committee, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, said the exercise was both a legal requirement for the holder of the office and a legislative engagement.

According to him, the Senate had earlier on Tuesday treated a request by Tinubu seeking Oluyede’s confirmation.

He added that the army had a serious job of securing the country and maintaining peace.

Yar’Adua spoke more: “As a result, the Parliament must be seen to respect and takeative notice of and uphold any law relating to national legislation, instrumental provision, and judicial pronouncement made by a court of competent jurisdiction in matters affecting the nation.

“It is no doubt that the security sector governance aims at elaborating rules that set ards for state and human security by applying the principles of good mance to the security sector, thereby making security provision oversight and ement more effective and more accountable, within the framework of ratic civilian control.

“This underscores the seriousness attached to the discharge of our jurisdiction on behalf of Nigerians in performing this screening exercise of the nominee as required by the law of the Federation.

“This is in order to ensure efficiency and drive effectiveness of institutions and their operators in fulfilling their respective roles and responsibilities in the spirit and culture of service.

“It is a known fact that our nation is currently bedevilled with a multiplicity of security challenges requiring cogent and urgent solutions.

“May I, however, commend the gallantry of the officers and men of the AFN for the success recorded so far in the war against terror, curtailing of insurgency and other criminalities within the country, even to the laying down of their lives.

“This screening exercise intends to bring to bear your professional skills, experiences, and expertise based on your strategic security knowledge and vision towards defending Nigeria from external aggression.

This is being done through maintaining its territorial integrity: securing its borders from violations on land, suppressing insurrection, and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order, among others.

“Furthermore, your abilities to offer proposals towards finding solutions for military funding and welfare of personnel will be of interest to this Committee.”

The Senate is expected to confirm the nominee on Thursday after receiving the report of the committee.

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