The Middle Belt Forum has congratulated General Christopher Musa on his exit as the nation’s Chief of Defence Staff and commended his exceptional service and leadership in strengthening national unity and troop morale.
The forum also welcomed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, as the new Chief of Army Staff, expressed confidence that the change in military leadership would further consolidate ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
President Bola Tinubu had on Friday approved the appointment of new Service Chiefs in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
The President named Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Musa. Maj. Gen. Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was named Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
In a statement by its national spokesman, Luka Binniya, in Kaduna on Sunday, the Middle Belt Forum praised General Musa’s “outstanding professionalism and loyalty to the Nigerian nation,” noting that his tenure was marked by dedication to unity within the Armed Forces and renewed commitment to discipline and operational excellence.
“General Musa’s service to Nigeria stands as a profound testimony to discipline, professionalism and loyalty to the nation,” the statement read. “His efforts in promoting unity among the armed forces and improving troop morale amid complex security challenges have earned him the admiration of his officers and men, including Nigerians across divides.”
The forum expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for giving Musa the opportunity to serve in such a capacity and urged that his experience be harnessed for future national assignments.
“We are confident that the President will continue to draw from General Musa’s deep reservoir of experience and patriotism in future defence-related roles,” Binniya added.
The MBF also hailed Maj. Gen. Shaibu’s elevation describes him as “a courageous commander and astute strategist” whose emphasis on intelligence-led operations and troop welfare has strengthened Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
“We urge General Shaibu to carry out his new responsibilities with dedication, fairness and renewed patriotism, as the nation looks to him and his team for stability and peace,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Christian Civil Chaplain Corps has congratulated the newly appointed Service Chiefs, commending President Tinubu for what it described as timely and strategic appointments.
In a statement issued in Uyo by its Public Relations Officer, Chaplain Daniel Eloyi Ocholongwa, the Corps said it would continue to offer prayers and moral support to the military leadership.
“We celebrate your appointment and the weighty responsibility it carries. We commit ourselves to upholding a posture of prayer, moral support and cooperation so that our beloved nation may experience both security and spiritual flourishing,” the statement read.
The NCCC Commanding Officer, Chaplain Daniel Joe Alimi, called for closer collaboration between security agencies and faith-based organisations through interfaith engagement and peace initiatives, noting that “national security requires both spiritual and moral strength alongside tactical operations.”
In a related development, political and civic leaders have also reacted to the shake-up in the security hierarchy.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, said while the President has the prerogative to hire and fire his service chiefs, the creation of state police remains the most sustainable way to address insecurity.
“It is the President’s prerogative to hire and fire in this instance,” George told The PUNCH. “But policing is local. When the state police is established, they will be recruited from their localities, understand the culture, and speak the language.”
Other political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Young Progressives Party, commended the President’s decision, urging the new military leadership to sustain professionalism and restore public confidence in the security system.
The Middle Belt Forum, however, concluded its message with a prayer for “divine wisdom and unity” among the newly appointed Service Chiefs in their patriotic task of securing the country.
“We equally congratulate all newly appointed Service Chiefs and pray for divine wisdom and unity among them in the patriotic task of securing Nigeria,” the Forum stated.
