Rowdy Senate Session as Lawmakers block ‘Bow-and-Go’ for Ex-CDS Musa

A ministerial screening that was expected to be routine turned stormy on Wednesday as senators fiercely resisted attempts to allow former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to simply “take a bow and go” during his confirmation hearing as Minister of Defence.

The tension erupted after Senator Sani Musa urged colleagues to permit the nominee to bow out after answering a few questions.

But the proposal met stiff resistance, with several lawmakers rising simultaneously, insisting that at a time of acute insecurity, a Defence Minister–designate must undergo full and rigorous scrutiny.

Within seconds, the chamber descended into loud protests and crossfire arguments. Some senators shouted over one another, gesturing in frustration, while others thumped their desks in opposition.

Sensing the escalating row, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stood up, an action which, by parliamentary rule, signals an immediate call to order.

“Colleagues, let us remain calm,” he urged, reminding senators that Nigerians were watching for reassurance, not chaos.

He stressed that the goal of the screening was to extract clear answers on how the security situation could be reversed.

Akpabio directed the nominee to look specifically into the withdrawal of soldiers from the Kebbi school where dozens of schoolgirls were recently abducted, a development that has provoked national outrage.

Channels TV reports that while responding to questions, Musa expressed sorrow over the persistent insecurity ravaging the country.

“The situation is very unfortunate,” he said, warning that too many schools remain exposed despite years of government promises under the Safe School Initiative.

He called for a whole-of-society approach, combining technology, community vigilance, and coordinated security responses.

According to him, without strengthening local capacity, incidents of mass abductions will continue.

The former defence chief also said accountability must be improved within the armed forces and other security institutions. He criticised the fragmented operations of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“Many agencies are not operating at full capacity,” he noted, stressing that Nigeria’s enemies thrive on institutional weakness and disunity.

Given the transnational nature of terrorism, he said Nigeria must synchronise security operations not only internally but with neighbouring countries as well.

He also called for a review of obsolete laws, warning that outdated legislation hampers the fight against modern threats.

Musa pointed to unregulated mining as a major source of funding for criminal groups and urged tighter monitoring backed by advanced technology.