Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday rejected attempts to grant former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), a “bow and go” clearance during his ministerial screening.
The session became heated after Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) moved that the nominee be allowed to bow without answering questions.
The chamber erupted instantly.
Several lawmakers stood up at once, loudly opposing the motion and throwing the session into confusion.
Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) stormed towards the Senate President’s desk, insisting that Gen. Musa must face full questioning due to Nigeria’s worsening security crises.
Akpabio restored order and ruled out any shortcut.
He said the Senate could not treat a defence nominee with levity at a time of national insecurity.
He reminded lawmakers that the eyes of the world were on Nigeria, adding that even international actors were monitoring the country’s response to insecurity.
Standing to address the chamber, Akpabio said, “If we come here and do politics, this is not the time for politics of ‘bow and go’. Even Donald Trump is on our neck. We’ve not asked him what his response will be to Donald Trump. He is not just anybody, former Chief of Defence Staff?”
Akpabio referenced the abduction of more than 200 pupils from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, saying Nigerians needed direct answers from the defence nominee.
He argued that the Senate owed citizens a transparent process that could offer hope amid rising fear.
“With over 200 children in the bush being tortured, give the man an opportunity to give Nigerians hope,” he said.
He stressed that the public expected strong reassurance and noted that his constituents also demanded clarity on Musa’s plans.
Calm returned after the Senate President’s intervention, and lawmakers proceeded with a full screening of the retired general.
Akpabio had earlier read President Bola Tinubu’s request urging the Senate to confirm Musa as a replacement for former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.
Following the letter, the Senate suspended its rules to admit the nominee for proper screening.
Gen. Musa then began his session before the Upper Chamber, fielding questions on security strategy and national defence reform.