Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation for Oluyede as COAS

Eric Patrick 

President Bola Tinubu has formally submitted a letter to the Nigerian Senate, requesting the confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff. 

This was disclosed in a statement by the his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.

According to the statement, Tinubu also sent similar letter to the House of Representatives.

Tinubu’s request is in accordance with the provisions of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

Onanuga’s statement read in part, “President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede's appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

“President Tinubu also despatched a similar letter to the House of Representatives.

“In the letters addressed today to both the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, President Tinubu seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

“President Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

“General Lagbaja, however, died on 5 November.

“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.

“Before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, like his predecessor, served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.”