The House of Representatives has constituted an ad-hoc committee to screen the recently appointed Service Chiefs.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, PhD who announced the setting up of the panel on Tuesday at plenary, said all the eight principal officers of the House from the majority and minority parties would be part of the ad-hoc committee.
Speaker Abbas also announced the immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, as the Clchairman of the committee.
The Majority Caucus has Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere (APC/Edo) as Majority Leader; Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (APC/Kogi), Deputy Majority Leader; Hon. Bello Usman Kumo (APC/Kebbi), Chief Whip; and Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (APC/Kogi) as Deputy Chief Whip.
The Minority Caucus equally has Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP/Rivers) as Minority Leader; Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP/Kano), Deputy Minority Leader; Hon. Ali Isa (PDP/Gombe), Minority Whip; and Hon. George Ozodinobi (LP/Anambra) as Deputy Minority Whip.
The appointees billed for screening by the committee are the new Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.
President Tinubu had on 19th June, 2023, approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Advisers, and subsequently appointed their successors.
The President had conveyed the nominations to the National Assembly via a letter dated 5th July, 2023, which was addressed to President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD.
Among them were Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj.-Gen. C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police; and Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye – Chief of Defense Intelligence.
The President consequently communicated the appointments to the Senate and the House to seek their confirmation by the National Assembly.
The president’s letter read: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate/House, the four nominees listed below as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff and AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
“The Senate/House of Representatives is invited to note the current security situation of our country which requires concerted efforts of both the legislature and the executive to ensure a well-protected nation. This informed the review of our Defence Architecture and appointment of new leaders to work in synergy with one another to achieve the level of optimal performance expected of the military.
“While I hope that the request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the House of Representatives, Please accept, Rt. Hon. Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
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