Senate Rejects “Bow and Go” as Rowdy Session Greets Screening of Ex-CDS Musa

A heated session erupted in the Senate on Wednesday after lawmakers firmly rejected an attempt to grant retired former Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, the traditional “bow and go” privilege during his screening as Minister of Defence.

The tension began when Senator Sani Musa proposed that the nominee be allowed to skip detailed questioning, a suggestion that immediately provoked loud objections across the chamber. Several senators rose to their feet, shouting “No!” as they insisted that the nominee must undergo full scrutiny, especially given Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened to restore order, ruling out the motion and stressing that the seriousness of the country’s security situation demanded transparency, not shortcuts. He reminded lawmakers that Nigerians expected a thorough interrogation of anyone seeking to oversee the nation’s defence architecture.

Following the uproar, the Senate proceeded with an hours-long, rigorous screening session in which Musa addressed questions about insecurity, inter-agency coordination, and his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff. His nomination had been submitted by President Bola Tinubu to replace former Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, who recently resigned on health grounds.

Despite the initial clash, Musa was eventually confirmed after extensive questioning, receiving unanimous approval from the chamber. In his remarks, he pledged to strengthen synergy among security agencies and deliver results that would rebuild public confidence in the defence sector.

The Senate’s refusal to grant “bow and go” was widely interpreted as a shift toward greater accountability, reflecting growing public demand for transparent oversight of security leadership at a time of rising kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency across the country.