Senate confirms appointments of Chief of Defense staff, service Chiefs

Senate has confirmed the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The confirmation came after over two hours screening of the military chiefs behind closed doors by the Senate.

The heads of the nation’s military who were confirmed included; Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Taoheed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff and AVM Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

The Service Chiefs were expected to have briefed the upper legislative chamber on the strategies they have in stock to tackle insecurity across the country.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio upon resumption of plenary said the nominees answered questions on defence related natters and other topical issues.

Before the screening which was done by the Committee of the Whole, the service chiefs upon arrival in the Red Chamber, were allowed two minutes each to introduce themselves to the lawmakers.

The Senate had earlier suspended relevant rules to allow the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate), Senator Abdullah Gumel to lead the nomineesx into the Chamber.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu had on Tuesday this week, asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of the new Service Chiefs.

The request was transmitted through a letter dated July 5, 2023, and addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, which he read on the floor of the Senate same day.