The Senate has rescheduled the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs to Wednesday, October 29, reversing its earlier decision to hold the exercise next week.
The announcement followed the reading of a letter from President Bola Tinubu by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking the confirmation of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff. Akpabio explained that the decision to hasten the process was to enable the new military leaders to assume their duties without delay.
President Tinubu had earlier urged the Senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the confirmation process, stressing the need for continuity and effective coordination in managing the nation’s security architecture.
Following the new directive, the Committee of the Whole is expected to conduct the screening exercise during plenary on Wednesday.
A few days earlier, the president had approved sweeping changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces. The shake-up saw General Christopher Musa removed as Chief of Defence Staff and replaced by General Olufemi Oluyede, a former Chief of Army Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye was, however, retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
According to a statement by a presidential aide, Sunday Dare, the changes were part of ongoing efforts “to strengthen the national security architecture,” with all appointments taking immediate effect.
However, the move has sparked criticism from opposition quarters. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a statement signed by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, called on President Tinubu to provide a clear explanation for the military shake-up.
“Our position remains that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,” Abdullahi stated, adding that the party’s concern stemmed from instability in neighbouring Chad and the Sahel region.
He stressed that the ADC’s priority “remains the stability of our country and the preservation of democracy.”
