The Senate on Wednesday approved Major General Waheedi Shaibu as the nation’s new Chief of Army Staff, instructing him to “take a bow” and commence his duties without delay.
Shaibu’s approval occurred less than an hour after the upper legislative chamber endorsed General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, signaling the beginning of the screening process for President Bola Tinubu’s recently appointed service chiefs.
The confirmation proceedings, conducted at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, were held under heightened security arrangements as senators initiated both closed and open sessions to evaluate the nominees.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who oversaw the session, characterized the process as a constitutional obligation meant to guarantee that only the most capable and dedicated officers receive responsibility for the nation’s security.
Akpabio however appealed that “There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them.”
In a demonstration of support, the lawmaker representing Kogi East, Senator Isah Jubrin, vouched for Shaibu’s capability and integrity, characterizing him as the appropriate candidate for the position.
“The officer is well known to me. I have known him for 30 years. Shaibu is humble and takes his job very seriously. I want to believe that is an asset,” he said.
“I believe he has what it takes to move Nigeria out of the challenges the country is experiencing today,” he added.
The screening and resulting confirmation of Shaibu and Oluyede demonstrate the Senate’s willingness to expedite the approval process for all service chiefs designated by President Tinubu as part of his comprehensive strategy to revitalize Nigeria’s security leadership.
