Trump Is On Our Neck’, Akpabio Rejects ‘Bow And Go’ Treatment For Ex-CDS Musa

‘Trump Is On Our Neck’, Akpabio Rejects ‘Bow And Go’ Treatment For Ex-CDS Musa

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday shut down calls for a “bow and go” clearance for former Chief of Defence Staff and ministerial nominee, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), insisting that the nation’s security situation demanded a full public screening.

Drama erupted in the chamber after Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) moved that the nominee be allowed to take a bow without answering questions.

The suggestion was immediately greeted with loud objections, as several lawmakers rose at once, shouting down the motion and throwing the session into disorder.

An angry Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) confronted the Senate President’s desk, insisting that Musa must be thoroughly interrogated, especially given the country’s deepening security crisis.

Akpabio intervened to restore calm, stating that the Senate could not waive scrutiny for a nominee expected to oversee Nigeria’s defence architecture.

Standing up from his seat, the Senate President 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?”

He referenced the recent abduction of more than 200 schoolchildren from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Niger State, stressing that Nigerians deserved clear answers from the defence nominee.

“With over 200 children in the bush being tortured, give the man an opportunity to give Nigerians hope. His appointment is being heralded all over the country. Our constituents want to hear from him. We are asking him these questions because they would ask him the same.”

Order was eventually restored, and lawmakers proceeded with a full screening of the retired general.

The exercise commenced shortly after Akpabio read President Bola Tinubu’s request during plenary, seeking confirmation of Musa as the replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Akpabio then directed the suspension of Senate rules to allow the nominee into the chamber for screening.