Akpabio Constitutes Selection, Special Committees

* As Tinubu seeks service chiefs’ confirmation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday constituted the Selection Committee and eight other special panels in line with the rules of the red chamber.

Akpabio, who announced the list on the floor during plenary, also read an official communication from President Bola Tinubu, seeking the screening and confirmation of the appointment of the new Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs.

The appointees are Major General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence staff (CDS), Maj. Gen. Toareed Abiodun Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Rear Admiral Emmanuel. A Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Air Vice Marshal H.B Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

Akpabio named himself as Chairman of the Selection Committee, saying the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, would be the deputy.

 He said all the eight newly elected principal officers from both the majority and the minority caucuses of the Senate would serve as members of the panel.

He also announced Senator Titus Zam as the chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, while the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, would serve as the deputy.

Other committees announced by the Senate President are Senate Services  — Sunday Karimi (chairman), Williams Eteng Jonah (deputy); Ethics and Public Petitions — Okechukwu Ezea (chairman) and Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha (deputy).

They also included Public Accounts — Aliu Wadada Ahmed (chairman), Onyeka Peter (deputy); National Security and Intelligence — Shehu Buba Umar (chairman), Asuquo Ekpenyong (deputy).

Others are Legislative Compliance — Garba Musa Maidoki (chairman), Ede Dafinone (deputy) and Media — Adeyemi Adaramodu (chairman), Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi (deputy).

He said the Appropriations Committee would be chaired by Solomon Adeola (chairman), while the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, would serve as the deputy.

Akpabio said the Appropriation Committee was set up in anticipation that President Tinubu would soon forward a Supplementary Budget to the red chamber.

Tinubu’s letter on the service chiefs’ confirmation was dated July 5, 2023 and addressed to the President of the Senate.

The letter noted that the request was in compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He asked the Senate to act expeditiously on the request, considering the level of insecurity in the country.

Akpabio said the service chiefs would be screened on the floor of the Senate because the red chamber had yet to set up its standing committees.

President Tinubu had appointed the service chiefs when the National Assembly was on recess three week ago.