President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Senate for the prompt confirmation of General Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence.
In a statement released on Thursday via his official X account, the President disclosed that he had forwarded General Musa’s name to the Senate two days earlier for screening and confirmation.
He described the former Chief of Defence Staff as “a fine gentleman,” noting that his appointment comes at a crucial moment for the country.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Senate for its expedited confirmation of General Musa yesterday. His appointment comes at a critical juncture in our lives as a nation,” Tinubu said. “God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
General Musa, who previously served as the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, drew significant public attention during his confirmation session after the Senate declined to apply its customary “bow and go” privilege.
Instead, the Red Chamber rejected appeals for a swift clearance and subjected the nominee to an extensive questioning session. Lawmakers probed him on issues including defence funding, intelligence gaps, technological weaknesses, rising banditry, terrorist infiltration, recent military shortcomings, and the nationwide surge in kidnappings.
His screening also coincided with a renewed push by the Senate to classify kidnapping as a terrorist offence and impose the death penalty without the option of a fine—part of efforts to strengthen the legal framework ahead of Musa’s assumption of office.
