In our dear country, Nigeria, if governance were a drama series, trust me, many of us would have stopped watching by now.

But since we are all trapped inside the film, all we can do is shout ‘Director, this script no clear o’! as new episodes unfold. The latest scene in this political drama is the sudden reappearance of General Christopher Musa (retd).

First, he was removed as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) supposedly to ‘strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture’ and now brought back weeks later as Minister of Defence to manage the same security architecture he was supposedly hindering.

My people, how do you explain this kind of plot twist with a straight face?

Back in October, when General Musa was removed as CDS, Nigerians naturally asked questions. What went wrong? Was it related to the alleged coup plot? Was there a failure of leadership? Was there a scandal? Was there a restructuring?

But before the questions could even gather dust, President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Mr Sunday Dare, disseminated a press release saying the general’s removal was necessary to ‘strengthen the national security architecture’.

That was the official storyline, and the already exhausted Nigerians accepted it the way students accept compulsory textbooks: without enthusiasm but with resignation.

Fast-forward to this week, and the same General Musa has now been sworn in by President Tinubu as our Defence Minister. You remove a man to strengthen security, then bring that same man back to lead security? This is not about doubting General Musa’s competence, as the retired general has the credentials.

But from a policy perspective, the contradiction is loud enough to wake a sleeping community. And it is precisely this kind of inconsistency that reinforces the public’s belief that government communications are rarely sincere. If the government says one thing in October and does the opposite in December, something is clearly not adding up.

This contradiction also suggests there is more to the story than Nigerians were told. If his removal was truly to strengthen security, then his swift return signals that the earlier explanation may not have been entirely honest. And this is why citizens struggle to trust official narratives.

Now, to the new minister’s promises. During his screening, General Musa was questioned extensively about recent security lapses, especially the controversial withdrawal of troops from the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, shortly before schoolgirls were abducted on 17 November.

He promised lawmakers that he would immediately launch a full-scale investigation once he assumes his duties. He also pledged to investigate the killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba, a brigade commander murdered in Borno State, along with other recent attacks on senior military officers. These commitments are significant, but they must move beyond assurances and translate into visible action.

Nigerians now expect the new Defence Minister to prove that his return is more than political recycling. His investigations must be transparent, not hidden behind classified excuses. His reforms must produce measurable results, not just buzzwords and media soundbites, and his communication must be direct and honest, not another round of vague press releases.

Above all, his coordination with the service chiefs, police leadership, and intelligence agencies must reflect real progress. And since the Nigerian constitution is clear that the security and welfare of the people are the primary duties of the government, the Commander-in-Chief himself, President Tinubu, must also be held accountable.

This matters because Nigeria is bleeding on multiple fronts, with communities across the north under constant attack. Farmers are abandoning their land for fear of being killed. Schoolchildren are kidnapped as though they are soft targets on display, while families sleep with one eye open.

Even high-ranking military officers are not spared from deadly attacks, as life has become uncertain for too many Nigerians, and citizens increasingly feel unprotected and unheard.

If President Tinubu believes General Musa is the right person for this role, then the administration must produce real, fast, and measurable results. Rebuilding trust will require more than ceremony; it will require consistent communication, transparent decision-making, and tangible action.

Because no matter how long the film is, Nigeria is not supposed to be a movie set, please.

Photo source: Nigerian Presidency