SENATE PRESIDENT REJECTS ‘BOW AND GO’ SUGGESTION FOR DEFENCE MINISTER NOMINEE CHRIS MUSA
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday refused a proposal that Christopher Musa, nominee for Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, be allowed to simply “bow and go” during his ministerial screening.
The suggestion came from Sani Musa, senator representing Niger East, who recommended that the former Chief of Defence Staff be given a minimal-questioning confirmation.
The “bow and go” practice allows some nominees to be approved with little scrutiny. However, Akpabio stated that such treatment would be inappropriate for Musa given the country’s current security challenges.
“Even Nigerians will want to hear from him at a time like this. If we engage in politics of ‘bow and go,’ it is the wrong period for it,” Akpabio said. “We haven’t even asked him how he would respond to Donald Trump, the President of the United States.”
The Senate President emphasized that Musa must be thoroughly questioned on national security issues, noting the nominee’s responsibility to lead the defence ministry.
“He is not just anyone; he is the former Chief of Defence Staff and now a nominee for Minister of Defence. To tell him to take a bow and go while Nigerians have many questions—especially with over 200 children kidnapped—is unacceptable,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio added that Musa’s nomination has raised high expectations nationwide, with citizens hopeful that he can offer solutions to ongoing security challenges. “Give the man an opportunity to give Nigerians hope,” he stated.
After more than three hours of questioning by lawmakers, Musa was confirmed as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
