IGP absent as Senate confirms Service Chiefs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Amidst the absence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Senate yesterday confirmed the Service Chiefs following the transmission of their appointments to the red chamber by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for legislative approval.
The confirmation followed the screening by the Committee of the whole which was presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabío.
Earlier in the day after their arrival, the nominees were subjected to the Chamber’s protocol where they were asked to introduce themselves.
Senators went into a closed door session after their introduction at about 11:00 am to screen the nominees on the security issues bedeviling the country, including banditry, Boko Haram and other unknown Gunmen threats.
After three hours of the meeting, the Senate reopened Chambers for debate at about 3.00 pm to have the confirmation done.
The Service Chiefs who were confirmed through voice votes are: Major General Christopher G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General T.A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal H. B. Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
Explaining why the IGP was absent, the Senate Spokesman said the issues of insecurity facing Nigeria is primarily a military affairs, but added that there is no law that says that the IGP and the military chiefs must be screened or confirmed by the Senate the same day.