The Senate Committee on the Army screened Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, the acting Chief of Army Staff, for appointment as the substantive CoAS.
The panel, led by Senator Abdul-Aziz Yar’Adua, its chairman, screened the Army Chief during a closed session for security reasons.
Addressing journalists shortly before the meeting venue’s doors closed, Yar’Adua said the screening and legal confirmation process of nominees play an important role in legislative engagement.
He noted that the Senate’s sitting on Tuesday read the President’s request to confirm his appointment as Chief of Army Staff.
He said the National Assembly remained the only arm of government vested with powers to ensure peace, order, and good governance in the country.
He said, “As a result, the Parliament must be seen to respect and take active notice of and uphold any law relating to national legislation, institutional provision, and judicial pronouncement made by a court of competent fiction in matters affecting the nation.
“It is no doubt that security sector governance aims to elaborate rules that set standards for state and human security by applying the principles of good menace to the security sector, thereby making security provision oversight and cement more effective and accountable within the framework of erratic civilian control.
“This underscores the seriousness attached to the discharge of our jurisdiction on behalf of Nigerians in performing this screening exercise of the nominee as required by the law of the Federation.
“This is to ensure efficiency and drive effectiveness of institutions and their operators in fulfilling their respective roles and responsibilities in the spirit and culture of service.
“It is a known fact that our nation is currently bedevilled with multiplicity of security challenges requiring cogent and urgent solutions.
“May I, however, commend the gallantry of the Officers and Men of the AFN for the success recorded so far in the war against terror, curtailing of insurgency and other criminalities within the country, even to the laying down of their lives.
“This screening exercise intends to bring to bear your professional skills, experiences, and expertise based on your strategic security knowledge and vision for defending Nigeria from external aggression.
“This is done by maintaining its territorial integrity: securing its borders from violation on land, suppressing insurrection, and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order, among others.
“Furthermore, your ability to offer proposals for finding solutions for military funding and the welfare of personnel will be of interest to this Committee.