The Senate will on Wednesday, December 3, screen General Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, for confirmation as the new Minister of Defence.
The announcement was made by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele in a statement issued through the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Tuesday, December 2.
Bamidele described the screening as “crucial to strengthening internal peace and national security,” noting that Musa’s nomination comes at a critical time in the nation’s fight against insecurity.
Musa was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned from the cabinet due to health concerns.
The President had transmitted Musa’s name to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.
Bamidele said the Senate had already received the President’s formal request and would treat it with urgency.
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“The red chamber 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 defence minister nominee,” he said.
He confirmed that the President’s letter “will be read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday” before the screening begins in accordance with Section 147 of the Constitution.
“We cannot delay such a request especially at this crucial time in the history of our fatherland,” Bamidele added.
“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.”
The Senate leader also emphasised the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government following the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on national security.
“The screening of the defence minister nominee is one of the ways to demonstrate such a synergy purely in the national interest,” he said.