The Senate has announced that General Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, will be screened as the new Minister of Defence on Wednesday as part of its continued response to the country’s security problems.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the announcement in a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Tuesday.
He emphasized the importance of the screening in attempts to maintain domestic peace and stability.
Musa’s nomination comes following the departure of former Minister of Defence Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who cited health issues.
President Bola Tinubu then forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate for confirmation, sending a formal letter to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday.
According to Bamidele, the Senate “is already in possession of the request of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to screen his defense minister nominee.”
He stated that the letter “will be read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Subsequently, it will immediately proceed to the screening of the nominee consistent with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Bamidele added, “We cannot delay such a request, especially at this crucial time in the history of our fatherland.
“We are treating the request as a matter that directly touches the core interest of our nation so that the Federal Government can sustain its campaigns against bandits, extremists, terrorists, and other forces undermining our national security.
“Since the President has declared a state of emergency on national security, both the Presidency and National Assembly must work hand in hand to ensure peace, stability, and good government.
“The screening of the defense minister nominee is one of the ways to demonstrate such a synergy purely in the national interest.”
