Buhari asks senate to confirm Farouk Yahaya as army chief

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the senate to confirm Farouk Yahaya as the chief of army staff.

Yahaya, a major-general, replaced Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a military plane crash alongside 10 other officers.

Attahiru, who died at 54, was the shortest-serving army chief in Nigeria’s history, having only replaced Tukur Buratai in January.

Following Attahiru’s demise, the president appointed Yahaya as the new army chief.

The president’s request for confirmation was in a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

Buhari premised his request on section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act.

“Pursuant to section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces act CAP A 20 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby forward for confirmation by the senate the appointment of Farouk Yahaya as the chief of army staff of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the commander-in-chief said.

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

Yahaya was the former general officer commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Before his appointment, he was the theatre commander of the counter-terrorism military outfit in the north-east which is code-named Operation Hadin Kai.