The House of Representatives yesterday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for the confirmation of the appointment of Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Oluyede was appointed acting COAS, following the illness and subsequent death of Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
The President’s letter was read on the floor of the House on November 26 by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and an ad hoc committee, headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), was constituted the following day to screen Oluyede
The President’s letter reads: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 218, subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Section 18, subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act, I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Lieutenant General Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Lt.-Gen. Oluyede has been serving diligently in an active capacity since his appointment. He has displayed exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the security and continued stability of our nation and the progress of our Armed Forces.
“His qualifications, experience, and contributions to the Nigerian Army and the nation at large make him well suited for this important role.
“While I am confident that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Oluyede was screened by the House’s ad hoc committee on Wednesday afternoon and the report of the screening was submitted yesterday to the House for consideration at plenary.
Presenting the report for consideration, Benson said the committee believed Oluyede has the quality to lead the Nigerian Army.
He said: “On November 26, 2024, the Parliament graciously appointed us to screen the acting Chief of Army Staff. We did that yesterday: we reviewed his CV, we questioned him on various issues, which included inter-agency synergy, civilian military relationship.
“Our observation is that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede is fit and proper and gave a very good account of himself. In conclusion, we request that the House do approve his appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.”
In a commendation, Benson said: “The ad hoc committee carefully and thoroughly engaged with the nominee for the position of Chief of Army Staff and was satisfied with his academic and professional qualifications, exposure, conduct, character, experience and general performance.
“The ad hoc committee also observed that he displayed wide knowledge of tactics and military operations as exhibited during his acting capacity. Consequently, the ad hoc hereby recommends that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede be confirmed as the Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, having successfully undergone the screening process of the committee.”
The recommendation was unanimously adopted by the House.
Also, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has assured the National Assembly that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede would bring new vigor and his vast experience to bear in the fight against insecurity if confirmed as substantive Chief of Army Staff.
General Musa, who witnessed the screening process at the both chambers, yesterday, said he was impressed with the manner in which the Senate and House Committees for Army screened the Acting COAS.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the CDS also assured that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede would build on the legacy of the late Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja.
The statement said: “The CDS described the prompt action of the National Assembly as patriotic and apt at this critical time.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain loyal to the constituted authority in pursuit of its constitutional roles.”
