Ndume cautions colleagues as Senate confirms appointment of Security Chiefs

By Tunde Opalana

Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The confirmation was consequent upon over two hours screening of the military chiefs behind closed doors by the Senate.

The confirmed heads of the nation’s military are; Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Taoheed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff and AVM Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

The Service Chiefs were expected to have briefed the upper legislative chamber on the strategies they have in stock to tackle insecurity across the country.

But the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio upon resumption of plenary said the nominees answered questions on defence related natters and other topical issues.

Before the screening which was done by the Committee of the Whole, the service chiefs upon arrival in the Red Chamber, were allowed two minutes each to introduce themselves to the lawmakers.

The Senate had earlier suspended relevant rules to allow the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate) , Senator Abdullah Gumel to lead the nomineesx into the Chamber.

The Daily Times recall that President Tinubu had on Tuesday this week, asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of the new Service Chiefs.

The request was transmitted through a letter dated July 5, 2023, and addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, which he read on the floor of the Senate same day.

However, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) who is chief whip cautioned his colleagues to always comport themselves whenever visitors are invited into the Red Chamber.

Ndume noted that some senators left their seat in the hallowed chamber to run after the Service Chiefs to exchange pleasantries while they should have stayed back to continue with their parliamentary duties.

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The Borno lawmaker who spoke from his years of experience in the parliament said going after visitors after being attended to is against the tradition of the Senate.

The chief whip said cautioned need to be applied because more visitors are expected in due course as ministerial and other appointees of government will be coming for screening.

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