By John Alechenu, Abuja

Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on Minister of Defence designate, General Christopher Musa, to advocate for the Nigerian Army to be included in the First Line Charge of the national budget.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, emphasized that including the military in statutory transfers would ensure timely access to funds and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that often delay procurement of arms and ammunition for operational theatres.

“While I commend General Musa on his appointment, he should convince the President and Commander-in-Chief of the need to place the Nigerian Army on First Line Charge,” Ndume said. “Prompt disbursement of funds is essential for the Army, Navy, and Airforce to carry out their operations effectively.”

He stressed that the welfare of military personnel remains a critical issue, noting that Nigerian soldiers are among the lowest-paid in the West African subregion. Ndume urged urgent measures to improve their remuneration and demonstrate appreciation for their sacrifices in securing lives and property.

General Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, was recently screened and confirmed by the Senate to replace Abubakar Badaru as Minister of Defence.