The Chairman Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze on Friday said President Umaru Yar’Adua must have weighed his options when he said Nigeria had accepted the establishment of a United States military command in Africa.

Eze said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent, in Abuja on Friday. He said although the details of the president’s action were not available, it was safe to say the president meant well.

He said, “I don’t have all the particulars for me to make a comment, but every assistance we can get to increase our military might, not only to protect our territorial integrity but also to increase our influence on the continent, I think it is a welcome development.

“I am sure the President considered what will best serve the interest of Nigeria and weighed the options before the decision was taken. You know the President cannot just commit Nigeria without weighing the options. I believe this is just the preliminary stages.

Eze noted that the Senate had a role to play in matters that had to do with committing Nigeria, especially militarily. He expressed confidence that the matter which was still at its pleminary stages would eventually get to the Senate at the appropriate time.

He also said it was too early to jump into conclusions over the issue since the President was still abroad and the details were still sketchy.