The Senate has fixed Wednesday, December 3, 2025, for the screening of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as the new Minister of Defence.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the disclosure in a statement by his Directorate on Media and Public Affairs Tuesday.

Musa’s nomination followed the resignation of the former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru.

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In a statement, Bamidele noted that the Senate “ is already in possession of the request of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to screen his defence minister nominee.”

He added that the letter “will be read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Subsequently, it will immediately proceed to the screening of the the nominee consistent with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)”.

“We cannot delay such a request especially at this crucial time in the history of our fatherland. We are treating the request as a matter that directly touches the core interest of our nation so that the federal government can sustain its campaigns against bandits, extremists, terrorists and other forces undermining our national security.

“Since the president has declared a State of emergency on national security, both the Presidency and National Assembly must work hand in hand to ensure peace, stability and good government. The screening of the defence minister nominee is one of the ways to demonstrate such a synergy purely in the national interest.”

General Musa left office as CDS barely five weeks ago on October 30, in what was officially explained as a routine drill.

His appointment was announced hours after Badaru, who had been serving in that position since 2023, quit.

Following the announcement, there have been questions on reason for the appointment since he barely left office.

A credible source around the presidency told Daily Trust last night that some ministers close to President Tinubu suggested that there was the need to bring on board as minister of defence, someone with military background and ample knowledge of the security challenges afflicting Nigeria.

Retired Brigadier General Mohammed Kabir Galadanchi, when contacted, expressed confidence in the capacity of General Musa to support the president in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.