Senate Rejects ‘Bow-and-Go’ Treatment for Ex-CDS Musa; Nominee Faces Rigorous Screening for Defence Minister Role

The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, commenced the screening of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), for the position of Minister of Defence. The move follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s formal nomination, transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday, to replace former Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday citing health concerns.

The screening exercise, a critical step in the nation’s effort to bolster its security architecture, saw a moment of high tension as the session became rowdy when some lawmakers attempted to grant the nominee the customary “take a bow and go” treatment. This was swiftly rejected by a majority of Senators, who insisted that General Musa must be subjected to more rigorous questioning due to the severe and persistent security challenges plaguing the country.

Responding to the lawmakers’ intense scrutiny, General Musa expressed deep regret over the current state of insecurity, acknowledging it as “very unfortunate.” He outlined a broad strategy to tackle the escalating threats, emphasizing:

• Community Resilience: The need to strengthen the capacity of local communities and adopt a whole-of-society approach to security, integrating technology, community participation, and coordinated operations.

• Safe-School Initiative: The necessity of strengthening the safe-school initiative to protect vulnerable institutions and curb the rising tide of kidnappings.

• Systemic Reforms: Calling for the review of obsolete laws and highlighting the critical need to improve accountability within the armed forces.

• Funding of Criminality: Identifying unregulated mining activities as a major source of funding for criminal groups, underscoring the necessity for tighter monitoring using modern technology.

President Tinubu’s letter, read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, expressed confidence in General Musa’s capacity to “strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.” The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, had previously stressed that the prompt screening was crucial given the current State of Emergency on national security and the need for synergy between the executive and the legislature. The Senate is expected to conclude the confirmation process shortly.