Senate confirms Faruk Yahaya as army chief

The senate has confirmed Faruk Yahaya as the chief of army staff.

The upper legislative chamber confirmed him after a report was presented by Aliyu Wamakko, chairman of the defence committee.

While presenting the report on Tuesday, Wamakko said Yahaya met all the requirements expected of him.

The Sokoto senator said there was no petition against Yahaya’s nomination and he was cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS).

“He was questioned on ethics, Nigeria’s war on terror and banditry. The committee was satisfied with the robust interaction with the nominee,” he said.

“The nomination is in line with section 217 of the constitution. The committee did not receive any petition and he was cleared by the State Security Services.

“The nominee presented his credentials. The committee is satisfied with his general performance.

“The committee recommends that general Faruk Yahaya be confirmed as the chief of staff.”

Also speaking Ali Ndume, chairman of the committee on army, said the senate should speedily confirm him so that he could carry out his functions without any hindrance.

“I want the senate to expeditiously confirm him so he can be decorated to do some of the things he is not able to do because he is in acting capacity,” Ndume said.

Thereafter, Yahaya was confirmed as the army chief after his nomination was put to a voice vote.

Yahaya, a major general, was appointed on May 27 to replace Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a military plane crash alongside 10 other officers.