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• Minister vows swift action as directed by President
• “Whatever it takes to get this mess under control” – Kukah
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd), as the new Minister of Defence.
The brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa saw Musa take the oath of office, just 24 hours after the Senate screened and confirmed his nomination.
Tinubu had forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate earlier in the week, following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down as Defence Minister on health grounds.
With his record at the top of the military, Musa is expected to drive operational enhancements across the armed forces. Stakeholders see the timing as a proactive step to reassure the public and strengthen the government’s security framework.
Addressing State House Correspondents, Musa assured Nigerians of his firm commitment to restoring peace and security nationwide.
On immediate priorities, Musa said, “My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces, between the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians being carried along…security is everybody’s responsibility.”
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He emphasised collaboration, promising, “It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on it, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Musa assured Nigerians of tangible results: “I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results.” He also expressed gratitude to the public: “I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured.”
On directives from President Tinubu, Musa revealed that the president stressed the critical need for nationwide security. He quoted Tinubu, “We must make sure that Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed. Go back to their farms. Schools open without being molested.” Musa highlighted the president’s vision of unity and progress: “Everyone being carried together to make sure that Nigeria continues to grow in line with the renewed programme of Mr President.”
Also speaking, Archbishop of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah, representing the Sultan of Sokoto and his roots in Southern Kaduna, expressed strong optimism about the new minister’s role. Kukah said, “Everybody knows what the problem is. We just need restoration of normalcy in this country by any means possible. And I think that this job is in very good hands. It does seem very clearly that the President wants to reposition issues of security, and I think the situation is in very good hands.”
Responding to the minister’s call for more punitive measures against terrorists during his screening, Kukah expressed alignment: “Rain, thunder, sunshine, whatever it takes to get this mess under control. These guys need to be flushed out. Normalcy needs to return to our country. Laughter and joy has to come back to Nigeria within the shortest time possible. All we do is pray for the best.”
Kukah stressed the urgency and seriousness of restoring peace, showing faith in the Defence Minister’s ability to tackle the country’s security challenges effectively.
