Godswill Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday declined a call for Christopher Musa, defence minister nominee, to be allowed to “bow and go” during his screening.
Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east, had proposed that the former chief of defence staff (CDS) should be asked to take a bow and go during his screening.
“Bow and go” is a practice in the upper chamber where some government nominees are confirmed during screening with minimal questioning, but Akpabio rejected the same treatment for the former army chief.
He said Nigerians deserve to hear from Musa at a time when security concerns remain high.
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“Even Nigerians will love to ask him questions at a time like this, so if we come here and we do politics, politics of bow and go… this is not a period we should say bow and go,” he said.
“Even Donald Trump is on our neck; we have not yet asked him what his response will be to Donald Trump, the president of America.”
Akpabio said Musa must answer questions on national security because he is nominated to lead the defence ministry.
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“He is not just anybody; he is the chief of defence staff and a nominee for minister of defence of a country, and you stand up and say he should take a bow and go with so many questions on the mouths of Nigerians with over 200 Nigerian children in the bush kidnapped and being tortured,” the senate president said.
He said Musa’s nomination has generated high expectations among citizens, adding that “his appointment is heralded all over Nigeria with happiness because Nigerians believe he has something to offer.”
“Give the man an opportunity to give Nigerians hope.”
Musa was later confirmed by the senate after answering questions from lawmakers for more than three hours.
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