Oscar Chukwugekwu, Abuja
The Senate on Tuesday received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting it to confirm the newly appointed service chiefs.
The letter, which was read on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was in accordance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, 2004.
It would be recalled that Buhari had, on the 13th day of this month (July), appointed Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin as the Chief of Defence Staff and Major-General Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.
He also appointed Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff and Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Buhari had also appointed Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) as the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Confirmation of appointments of the service chiefs may be done by the entire Senate on Wednesday since there are no relevant Senate standing committees yet for that purpose at committee level.
Also on Tuesday, the process of setting up the 57 Senate’s standing committees was put in motion with the announcement from Saraki that each of the 98 other senators, excluding the 10 principal officers, should fill forms already forwarded to them, to indicate five committees their qualifications, professions and experiences tally with.
Saraki told them to submit the forms to the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, not later than next week Tuesday.
