The Senate will on Wednesday begin the screening of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, following his nomination as the new Minister of Defence.
This was announced on Tuesday by the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement issued through the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.
Bamidele described the screening as a crucial step towards bolstering national security and safeguarding internal stability.
General Musa’s nomination follows the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down citing health concerns.
President Bola Tinubu formally forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate on Tuesday in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to Bamidele, the upper chamber has received the President’s request and will read the communication during Wednesday’s plenary before proceeding immediately to the screening, in line with Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution.
“We cannot afford any delay, particularly at a time like this. This matter concerns the very core of our national interest, ensuring the government sustains its operations against banditry, terrorism, extremism, and other threats undermining our collective security,” Bamidele said.
He added that the President’s declaration of a national security emergency demands close coordination between the executive and the legislature.
“The screening of the ministerial nominee is one of the avenues to reinforce that cooperation in the pursuit of peace, stability, and effective governance,” he stated.
