The Senate, on Wednesday, conducted a closed-door screening of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. The exercise, held in Room 211 of the Senate New Building at the National Assembly Complex, was overseen by the Senate Committee on the Army, chaired by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua.
In his opening remarks, Yar’Adua highlighted the significance of the screening, describing it as a critical legislative function aimed at ensuring national security and stability. He acknowledged the nomination letter from President Bola Tinubu, presented to the Senate on Tuesday, requesting the confirmation of Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff.
Yar’Adua emphasized the constitutional role of the National Assembly in maintaining peace and order, stating:
“This screening exercise is a demonstration of our commitment to uphold the laws of the Federation and the constitutional principles guiding national security.”
He also noted Nigeria’s pressing security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of criminality, and commended the armed forces for their efforts and achievements in mitigating these threats.
The screening aimed to evaluate Oluyede’s professional capabilities, strategic vision for national security, and plans for addressing military funding and personnel welfare. Yar’Adua explained that the deliberations were held behind closed doors due to their sensitive nature, allowing the nominee to freely discuss his vision for enhancing Nigeria’s security infrastructure.
Following the screening, the committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the Senate for further deliberations and decision-making. This exercise underscores the Senate’s commitment to ensuring capable leadership in the nation’s armed forces during a period of heightened security concerns.
