By Nurat Uthman
President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking to confirm the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army staff
Oluyode has been serving in an acting capacity since his appointment on October 30.
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday.
Tinubu said Oluyede’s confirmation is under the provisions of section 218(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
The president said the army chief’s contribution to the military and Nigeria makes him “well-suited” for the role.
The request was then referred to the Senate Committee on Army to screen and present the report to the whole committee for further action, as soon as practicable
Last Friday, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced that Tinubu transmitted a letter to the upper chamber, asking the lawmakers to confirm Oluyede’s appointment.
Oluyede was appointed as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
But General Lagbaja died on 5 November and has since been buried in Abuja.
“President Tinubu is confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Lt. General Oluyede to lead and inspire the army to ensure national security and stability,” the presidential spokesman added.
