The Senate stepped away from parts of its Wednesday Order Paper to commence the screening of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, following his nomination as Minister of Defence by President Bola Tinubu.
During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter forwarding Musa’s name, prompting the chamber to move immediately into the screening process. The motion to proceed was introduced by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and supported by Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro.
The Senate then transformed into the Committee of the Whole, where General Musa was invited to begin his presentation. He started speaking at exactly 2:15 pm, outlining his background and perspectives on national security.
While addressing the lawmakers, General Musa referred to terrorists as “evil forces” working against the country’s stability, stressing that winning the battle against insecurity requires unified national effort. He added that Nigeria’s borders remain exposed and must receive stronger protection to prevent infiltration by hostile groups.
Senators continued to engage the nominee with questions as the screening progressed.
More updates later…
What You Should Know
General Christopher Musa, formerly Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, is undergoing Senate screening after being nominated by President Bola Tinubu to serve as Minister of Defence.
His session marks a significant moment in ongoing efforts to strengthen national security. Musa emphasized the urgency of tackling terrorism by reinforcing border security and fostering nationwide collaboration.
The Senate fast-tracked his screening by suspending parts of its Order Paper, underscoring the importance of the appointment. Lawmakers are currently questioning him to assess his readiness to oversee the defence sector at a time when Nigeria faces persistent security threats.
