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Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, firmly rejected calls for a “bow and go” clearance for former Chief of Defence Staff and ministerial nominee, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), insisting that the nation’s security situation, and even international scrutiny, required a thorough, public interrogation.
The session turned chaotic after Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) proposed that the nominee be allowed to take a bow without fielding questions.
His motion was instantly met with loud objections, as several lawmakers stood up at once, shouting down the suggestion and plunging the chamber into disorder.
A visibly angered Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) confronted the Senate President’s desk, insisting that Musa must be questioned, especially given the country’s deepening security crises.
Akpabio intervened to restore order, stressing that the Senate could not waive scrutiny for a nominee expected to oversee the nation’s defence architecture at a critical time.
Standing up from his seat, the Senate President said, “If we come here and do politics, this is not the time for politics of ‘bow and go’. Even Donald Trump is on our neck. We’ve not asked him what his response will be to Donald Trump. He is not just anybody, former Chief of Defence Staff?”
Referencing the abduction of more than 200 schoolchildren from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Niger State, Akpabio said Nigerians deserved direct answers and reassurance from the defence nominee.
“With over 200 children in the bush being tortured, give the man an opportunity to give Nigerians hope. His appointment is being heralded all over the country. Our constituents want to hear from him. We are asking him these questions because they would ask him the same.”
Following the Senate President’s intervention, calm returned to the chamber, and lawmakers proceeded with a full screening of the retired military officer.
The screening exercise began shortly after Akpabio, read Tinubu’s request during plenary, urging lawmakers to consider and approve the ex-CDS as a replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.
After reading the letter, Akpabio directed suspension of Senate rules to allow the nominee into the chamber for the proper screening.
