Manny Ita
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has announced his intention to formally enter partisan politics, declaring plans to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on his political future, Musa said he would become a member of the APC “in the near future,” marking a significant shift from his current role as a non-partisan appointee to active participation in party politics. His statement has already sparked debate across political and security circles, given his position at the heart of Nigeria’s defence and intelligence architecture.
The declaration came alongside revelations about national security matters, as the minister reflected on the personal risks he faced during a previously foiled coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to Musa, the plotters behind the failed uprising would have targeted him directly had their plans succeeded.
“Coup plotters would have killed me,” he said, adding that he would likely have been arrested or killed by those involved in the attempted takeover last year.
Musa also addressed earlier official denials that any coup attempt had taken place, explaining that the military’s initial response was deliberate. He noted that the denial was a strategic decision taken in the early stages of investigations, aimed at preventing panic and allowing security agencies to fully unravel the plot.
His public expression of interest in joining the APC places the retired general among a growing list of senior security figures transitioning into overt political roles, a trend that often attracts public scrutiny. While Musa has not disclosed any specific political ambition beyond party membership, his comments suggest a clear intention to engage more directly in Nigeria’s partisan political space.
As of the time of reporting, neither the APC nor the presidency has issued an official response to the minister’s declaration.
