- Ex-CDS Musa Tipped To Replace Badaru.
- His visit to the Villa signals active consultations.
- Rising security threats make his experience valuable.
Strong indications suggest that former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retired), has emerged as the leading contender for the position of Minister of Defence following the sudden resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that
Security sources revealed to Western Post that General Musa’s visit to the Presidential Villa on Monday evening played a central role in the latest consultations.
The visit, his first since his exit as CDS, saw him go straight into a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after arriving in traditional northern attire.
Although the presidency has not formally announced the purpose of the meeting, insiders say Musa is being seriously considered to take over the defence portfolio. One source noted that his background and operational experience place him in a strong position at a time when the country is facing rising security threats.
His possible nomination coincides with renewed calls for the Defence Ministry to be led by someone with seasoned security expertise. Analysts believe this could help the government respond more effectively to recent incidents, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi, an attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and the kidnapping of Catholic schoolchildren in Minna.
General Musa was relieved of his role as CDS in October after reports of an alleged aborted coup attempt, though the government offered no official explanation. His meeting with the President took place hours after Badaru’s resignation was announced on health grounds.
President Tinubu has already accepted the resignation and is expected to send a new nominee to the Senate later this week. With the President’s recent declaration of a national security emergency, the decision on who leads the Defence Ministry is seen as crucial to shaping the administration’s next steps.
Sources say General Musa now tops the list of candidates being evaluated for the role.
