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By Haruna Salami
The Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa (rtd) for appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Minister of Defence after screening him for over two hours.
Musa who is the immediate Chief of Defence Staff made it clear to the legislators that he was vehemently opposed to any for of negotiations with terrorists.
He also used the opportunity of his screening that the military will win the war against terrorists, just as he called on Nigerians to cooperate with the security forces as no segment can do it alone.
The senators asked the Minister of Defence designate some of the questions agitating the minds of most Nigerians such as the alleged withdrawal of military personnel a few minutes before terrorists struck at the Government Comprehensive Secondary School GCSS Maga, Kebbi state. They want to know who gave the order. This is what Musa must investigate and let Nigerians know.
Again, General Musa was confronted with the allegation that military personnel would be waiting for an order even when faced with life threatening situations before they can fire.
The red chamber made clear that Nigerians want the kidnapped school children and other Nigerian in captivity brought back to safety.
In his response, Musa said once a military personnel is mobilised and briefed for an operation, he/she didn’t need any other order in the face of threat from terrorists.
He did not mince words when said he was also against ransom payment to terrorists, as they will use the money to buy more guns and strike in no distance future.
The screening of General Christopher Musa was sequel to a letter to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, which was read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday.
Akpabio immediately referred the President’s letter to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele initially said General Musa’s screening would be conducted in a close session because the Senate had screened him before for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff, but later the Senate reversed itself and conducted the screening openly in public interest.
As Minister of Defence, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Musa will now be the political head of the Ministry, giving him power to set policies, budgets, procurement priorities, and strategic direction.
All senators who spoke during the screening exercise commended President Tinubu for the nomination of Musa as Minister of Defence, describing the nomination as “a round peg in a round hole”.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured the nominee of the readiness of the National Assembly to give the military the needed support to win the war against terrorists.