By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday asked the Senate to screen and confirm the appointment of the new Chief of Defence staff and the service chiefs.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced this at plenary while reading an official communication from the Presidency.
The appointees are Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj-Gen. Toareed Abiodun Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and Air Vice-Marshal H.B Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff, CAS).
Tinubu’s letter on the service chiefs’ confirmation was dated July 5, 2023, and addressed to the President of the Senate.
The letter noted that the request complied with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He asked the Senate to act expeditiously on the request, considering the level of insecurity in the country.
Tinubu had appointed the Service Chiefs when the National Assembly was on recess three week
*Akpabio constitutes special committees
Meanwhile, Akpabio has constituted the Selection Committee and eight other Special panels in line with the rules of the red chamber.
He announced the list on the floor during plenary, and also read an official communication from
Akpabio named himself as Chairman of the Selection Committee while his Deputy, Barau Jibrin, would be the deputy.
He said all the eight newly elected principal officers from both the majority and the minority caucuses of the Senate would serve as members of the panel.
He also announced Senator Titus Zam as chairman of the Rules and Business, while the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele would serve as the deputy
Other committees announced by the Senate President are, Senate Services — Sunday Karimi (chairman), Williams Eteng Jonah (deputy); Ethics and Public Petitions — Okechukwu Ezea (chairman), Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha (deputy)
They also included Public Accounts— Aliu Wadada Ahmed (chairman), Onyeka Peter (deputy); National Security and Intelligence — Shehu Buba Umar (chairman), Asuquo Ekpenyong (deputy)
Others are, Legislative Compliance — Garba Musa Maidoki (chairman), Ede Dafinone (deputy) and Media — Adeyemi Adaramodu (chairman), Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi (deputy)
He said the Appropriations Committee would be chaired by Solomon Adeola (chairman) while the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume would serve as the deputy.
