New Service Chiefs Arrive Senate For Screening (Photos)

The newly appointed Service Chiefs arrived at the National Assembly Complex around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, accompanied by several senior military officers.

Their appearance followed the Senate’s decision to bring forward the screening to Wednesday, October 29, reversing an earlier plan to hold it next week.

The announcement came shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a correspondence from President Bola Tinubu, seeking the confirmation of General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff. 

Akpabio stated that the rescheduling was necessary to enable the new military chiefs to assume their duties without delay.

Tinubu had urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the confirmation process to ensure continuity and effective coordination of the nation’s security structure.

On October 24, Tinubu announced sweeping changes in the military hierarchy, replacing General Christopher Musa with General Oluyede as CDS. 

He also appointed Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff.

Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence, according to a statement issued last Friday by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication.

All appointments take immediate effect. 

General Oluyede, who only assumed office as Chief of Army Staff last year following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, now succeeds General Musa as CDS.

The outgoing chiefs, Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Bala Abubakar, had been in office since June 2023 and led major operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in the North-East and North-West regions.

While their tenure recorded notable gains, persistent attacks by gunmen across the country have heightened calls for a shift in strategy and leadership.

Details later…