Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm Farouk Yahaya As Chief of Army Staff

The Senate on Tuesday considered a letter by President Muhammadu Buhari seeking the confirmation of Major General Farouk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Buhari’s letter followed Yahaya’s appointment by the Defence headquarters on May 27, 2021 in a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu.

Brig. General Nwachukwu had disclosed that Yahaya’s appointment was in line with service procedures following the death of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash with 10 other senior military officers near Kaduna International Airport two weeks ago.

Reading Buhari’s letter during plenary, the Senate President said Yahaya’s appointment was in compliance with the provisions of Section 18 subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2004.

The letter reads in part: “In compliance with the provisions of section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“His CV is herewith attached. It is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner.”

If confirmed, Yahaya will be the 22nd Chief of Army Staff and will be expected to build on the efforts of the late Attahiru in addressing the insecurity in the country.

The nominee was born on January 5, 1966.

In a tweet on his official Twitter handle, Senior Special Assistance to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that Yahaya had served in various capacities, including as Garrison Commander of the Guards Brigade, Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, among others.

Before his nomination, he was the General Officer Commanding of 1st Division.

The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.
Rising under Order 43 (Personal Explanation) during plenary, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume said the late chief of army staff should be honoured.

“This personal explanation is done in consultation with the committee chairman on Defence, Aliyu Wamakko, Senate Committee Chairman on Air Force, Bala Ibn Na’allah because it affected the three committee.

“The Senate express shock over the death of the 21st chief of army staff Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others in a plane crash in Kaduna on the 21 May 2021.

” The Senate condoles the commander in chief of the armed forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigeria Armed Forces and Nigerians over the unfortunate incident. His efforts will not be in vain as he died in the service of our father land.

“There is the need to observed a moment of prayers and also, urged the federal government to immortalised the late chief of Army Staff by naming a military structure in his honour as an appreciation. Let us delegate a team from the Senate to condole with the family of the chief of army staff.”

The Senate president who granted the prayers, led the red chamber to observed a minute silence in honour of the late chief of army staff and 10 other officers.