Daily Digest Online

The Nigerian Senate has cleared former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and retired Army General Abdulrahman Dambazau, a former Minister of Interior, as non-career ambassadors. The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs gave both nominees the "bow-and-go" privilege during Thursday's screening session. This parliamentary tradition allows individuals with established records of public service, particularly former members of the National Assembly, to be approved after brief introductions without extensive questioning. Defense of the Screening Process Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the procedure, stating it is reserved for those with verifiable service histories whose profiles are already well-known to the lawmakers. "Anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege," Bamidele explained. Context of the Nominations The clearances are part of President Bola Tinubu's 32-m...

Newly confirmed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd) has declared a firm stance against negotiating with armed criminal groups, stating that such deals compromise national security and only allow insurgents time to rearm, according to his testimony during the Senate screening process. In a decisive policy declaration, newly confirmed Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd) has ruled out any negotiation with bandits or terrorists, framing such engagements as a critical security error. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate on Wednesday, the former Chief of Defence Staff asserted that past negotiations have consistently failed, serving only as a tactical pause for armed groups to regroup and strengthen. "If you negotiate with them, they will never abide by it. It’s just a moment for them to buy time, acquire more arms, and return to strike," Musa stated, as reported by Leadership newspaper. He emphasized that his...

As U.S. visa bans and sharp criticism from Washington ripple through Abuja, Nigeria’s Senate insists on rigorous scrutiny for top security nominees. The ornate chamber of Nigeria’s Senate was humming with the usual procedural murmur on Tuesday—until the debate over confirming a new Minister of Defence turned into a pointed lesson on geopolitical timing. Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, following a tradition often extended to former service chiefs, suggested that the nominee, former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, should simply “bow and go”—a parliamentary shorthand for bypassing rigorous questioning and granting immediate confirmation. But Senate President Godswill Akpabio swiftly gaveled the easy pass into oblivion. In a sharp, impromptu rebuke that quieted the room, Akpabio framed the moment in stark, contemporary terms. “This is not the time for politics of ‘bow and go’,” he declared, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and urgency...