The Senate on Wednesday began the screening of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu as the new Minister of Defence.
The process started shortly after the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read Tinubu’s request during plenary, asking lawmakers to consider and approve the ex-CDS as a replacement for former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday, citing health reasons.
Akpabio then ordered the suspension of Senate rules to allow the retired military chief into the chamber for the formal screening.
Tinubu’s letter, sent to the upper chamber on Tuesday, expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to “strengthen Nigeria’s security framework” and reposition the ministry at a time when the nation is facing worsening insecurity.
The nomination had earlier been confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and progressed through various command and staff roles.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, and later led the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being elevated to Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
His predecessor, Badaru, who took office as minister on August 21, 2023, resigned on Monday, stating in his resignation letter that he could no longer effectively carry out his duties due to ill health.
The President accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service.
Badaru recently faced public criticism after a BBC Hausa interview in which he said some terrorists were difficult to target because their forest hideouts were “too dense for bombs to reach.”
The Senate is expected to finish Musa’s screening before submitting its confirmation recommendation to the Presidency.
