A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) as Defence Minister, describing it as “the best appointment of the Tinubu administration so far”.
Vatsa made the remark at the ongoing eight-day retreat for new commissioners-designate, elected council chairmen, permanent secretaries, and special advisers in Minna on Thursday.
The APC chieftain, who was also a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, said Musa’s appointment is a fitting one, given his experience as a former Chief of Defence Staff.
He noted that the positive reactions that greeted Musa’s appointment across the country are a testament to the fact that he is the right person for the job.
“I think this is one of the best appointments by President Tinubu so far. Musa’s appointment is on merit, and Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief over the worsening security challenges. With this, Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to addressing the security situation in the country,” he said.
Vatsa further emphasised that the current situation in the country requires decisive action, noting that the whole world has acknowledged that there is a serious problem in Nigeria.
“The country is at a crossroads. The entire country seems to be under siege. The activities of these terrorists have forced Nigerians to change their life pattern.
“Nigerians are confronted with two enemies: hardship and insecurity. People have used their life investments to pay ransom to kidnappers who come to Nigeria to make money,” he said.
He further claimed that the recent escalation of terrorist attacks across the country is primarily targeted at President Tinubu’s 2027 second-term ambition, adding that he had earlier warned the President to act swiftly to avoid a repeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s experience.
However, Vatsa also warned that appointing Musa is just the first step, and that giving him the necessary support and resources from both federal and state governments is another challenge, adding, “No matter how good you are, you must be equipped for the job. There is need for state governors to collaborate with him and provide necessary support to tackle the country’s security challenges.”
