‘Trump is on Our Neck’: Akpabio Rejects “Bow and Go” for Defence Minister

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday turned down a request to grant the Minister of Defence nominee, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd), the traditional “take a bow and go” privilege during his screening, despite his illustrious military career and current position as Chief of Defence Staff.

The motion for the concessional screening was moved by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), who argued that General Musa’s decades of distinguished service to the nation, including his leadership of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency and his previous appearances before the Senate, warranted the courtesy usually extended to former lawmakers or high-ranking public officers.

“Mr. President, this is a gallant officer who has served this country with distinction. He is currently the Chief of Defence Staff and has appeared before this Senate on several occasions. I move that we allow him to take a bow and go,” Senator Musa pleaded.

However, the proposal met stiff resistance from a cross-section of senators who insisted that no nominee should be exempted from rigorous questioning, irrespective of past achievements.

Leading the opposition, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled against the motion, stressing the need for equality and thorough legislative oversight.

“My distinguished colleagues, while we all acknowledge the sterling service of the nominee, the tradition of this Senate is that only former members of the National Assembly are accorded the privilege of ‘bow and go.’ Others, no matter how distinguished, must submit themselves to full screening,” Akpabio declared.

Several senators, including members of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition, supported the Senate President’s position, arguing that the defence portfolio demands the highest level of scrutiny given the prevailing security challenges across the country.

After brief deliberations, Senator Sani Musa withdrew his motion, paving the way for Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa to face the full screening process alongside other ministerial nominees.

The rejection marks a departure from recent practice where some nominees with extensive public service records, particularly senior military officers, have occasionally been granted the “bow and go” courtesy.

Political observers say the Senate’s decision reflects growing demand for transparency and accountability in the confirmation of key appointees, especially in sensitive sectors such as defence, interior, and finance.

General Musa, who was nominated by President Bola Tinubu last week alongside 22 others, is expected to answer questions on Nigeria’s security architecture, military procurement, welfare of troops, and the fight against terrorism, banditry, and oil theft when the screening resumes on Wednesday.

The Senate has so far confirmed 12 of the 23 ministerial nominees forwarded by President Tinubu, with the remaining nominees, including the Defence Minister-designate, scheduled to appear before the Committee of the Whole in the coming days.