President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the Senate to screen and confirm Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
This request was conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during the plenary session on Tuesday.
Tinubu stated that his request aligns with the provisions of Section 218 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act.
In the letter, the President highlighted Lieutenant General Oluyede’s experience and diligence, describing him as an officer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the security and unity of the country.
“Lieutenant General Oluyede has been serving diligently in an active capacity since his appointment. He has displayed exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the security and continued stability of our nation and the progress of our Armed Forces. His qualifications, experience, and contributions to the Nigerian Army and the nation at large make him well suited for this important role,” Tinubu stated.
The President urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process. “While I am confident that the Senate will consider and confer the nominee expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration,” Tinubu pleaded.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Army and directed it to report back as soon as practicable. “It is good that the new Chief of Army Staff is in active capacity, starting on a good note. So, in line with our rules, this is referred to the Committee on the Army, Senate Committee on the Army, to screen and present the report to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and further action as soon as practicable,” Akpabio said.
President Tinubu had appointed General Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who previously held the position.
Unfortunately, Lagbaja passed away on November 5 and has since been buried.
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