Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, has offered high praise for President Bola Tinubu’s choice of Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) as the Minister of Defence. Vatsa went so far as to describe it as “the best appointment of the Tinubu administration so far.”
The APC stalwart, who previously served as the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, made this commendation during the ongoing eight-day retreat held in Minna for new commissioners-designate, elected council chairmen, permanent secretaries, and special advisers on Thursday, the 4th of December, 2025.
Vatsa emphasized that Musa’s appointment is particularly appropriate given his extensive background, which includes serving as a former Chief of Defence Staff. He pointed to the widespread positive reception across Nigeria as proof that Musa is the ideal candidate for the critical role.
Commenting on the appointment’s potential impact, Vatsa said: “I think this is one of the best appointments by President Tinubu so far. Musa’s appointment is on merit, and Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief over the worsening security challenges. With this, Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to addressing the security situation in the country.”
Vasta painted a grim picture of the nation’s current state, noting that the whole world has acknowledged the severity of Nigeria’s internal issues, arguing that the country demands immediate and decisive action.
He asserted that the country is at a crucial juncture, stating: “The country is at a crossroads. The entire country seems to be under siege. The activities of these terrorists have forced Nigerians to change their life pattern.” He encapsulated the public’s struggle by identifying two primary threats: “Nigerians are confronted with two enemies: hardship and insecurity. People have used their life investments to pay ransom to kidnappers who come to Nigeria to make money.”
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Furthermore, the APC chieftain controversially claimed that the recent surge in terrorist attacks across the nation is primarily an attempt to undermine President Tinubu’s projected 2027 second-term ambition. Vatsa noted that he had previously advised the President to act swiftly to prevent a recurrence of the security challenges faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, Vatsa cautioned that the appointment itself is only the first step. He warned that providing the necessary support and resources from both the federal and state governments presents another significant hurdle, stressing: “No matter how good you are, you must be equipped for the job. There is need for state governors to collaborate with him and provide necessary support to tackle the country’s security challenges.”