President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially requested the Senate’s confirmation of his newly appointed Service Chiefs, signaling another major restructuring within Nigeria’s military command.
In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, Tinubu urged the upper chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations. The request was referred to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation next week.
The nominees include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The appointments follow a recent military shake-up in which Tinubu replaced General Christopher Musa and reinstated Oluyede, formerly Chief of Army Staff, as Defence Chief. According to Sunday Dare, a presidential aide, the changes aim to “strengthen the national security architecture.”
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned the motive behind the move, urging the government to clarify its decision. The party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over the timing, citing instability in Chad and other Sahel regions as a potential influence.
Despite the criticism, Tinubu’s latest reshuffle reflects his administration’s resolve to reinforce leadership within the armed forces as Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges nationwide.
