By Ufford Wilson
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Michael Olomu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister-Designate, describing the decision “a bold and reassuring signal of the President’s renewed commitment to ending insecurity in Nigeria.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Olomu said the appointment of a seasoned military professional to oversee the nation’s defense architecture shows the urgency of confronting the country’s escalating threats of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“This appointment gives Nigerians renewed hope that the business-as-usual approach to national security is giving way to a more strategic, intelligence-driven and professional handling of our security challenges.
General Musa is a battle-tested officer with deep institutional knowledge, and I have no doubt that he brings the discipline, foresight and courage required for this difficult assignment,” Olomu stated.
While commending the President for what he termed “a step in the right direction,” the APC leader urged President Tinubu to take further steps by removing all political, bureaucratic and institutional impediments that continue to hinder the nation’s ability to win the war against violent criminality.
“Nigeria cannot continue to lose innocent citizens daily while criminals operate with frightening audacity,” he said. “The President must now ensure that all roadblocks—whether inter-agency rivalry, poor intelligence coordination, weak prosecution, or compromised officials—are dismantled without delay. The war against insecurity must be total, coordinated and relentless.”
Olomu further called on the President to prioritise merit, competence, and integrity in all future appointments to key ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the government, especially those directly related to national security, justice, and internal order.
“Our nation has paid a heavy price for putting politics above competence in critical sectors. This is the time to enthrone excellence. Only qualified, tested and incorruptible professionals should manage our security and justice institutions. Nigeria cannot afford mediocrity at this stage of its national life,” he declared.
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The Bayelsa APC chieftain also made a strong call for the arrest and prosecution of those who sponsor criminality, regardless of their social status, political influence or economic power.
“One of the greatest tragedies of our insecurity crisis is that many of those who sponsor, fund and protect criminal networks are known in high places, yet they roam freely,” Olomu said. “Mr. President must summon the political will to go after these individuals. Until the financiers and enablers of terror are exposed and punished, our security forces will only be treating the symptoms and not the disease.”
He stressed that Nigerians are no longer interested in rhetoric but in visible, decisive and sustained action, noting that the people’s confidence in government will only be restored when criminals are confronted head-on and justice is delivered without fear or favour.
“The appointment of General Musa must mark the beginning of a new chapter—not only of stronger military operations, but also of deeper intelligence operations, faster prosecutions and uncompromising accountability,” Olomu added. “The lives of millions of Nigerians depend on it.”
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Olomu reaffirmed the support of well-meaning members of the APC in Bayelsa State for President Tinubu’s reform agenda, while urging the government to match its economic reforms with robust security outcomes.
“We commend Mr. President for taking this important step. Now is the time to act decisively. Nigerians are looking up to him to secure their lives, their communities and their future,” he concluded.
