The Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has suggested that he may soon formally align with the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing himself as being in a period of political transition.
Musa made the disclosure during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, where he spoke candidly about his evolving role in Nigeria’s political space following his retirement from active military service.
Responding to a question on whether he now considers himself a politician, the former Chief of Defence Staff said he was not fully there yet but acknowledged an ongoing shift. “I’ve not transited yet. I’m in transition,” he said.
Pressed further on whether he had joined the ruling APC, the minister said he was not yet a registered member but openly expressed his inclination toward the party. According to him, the APC-led administration had consistently provided him with opportunities to serve the country, including his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff and his subsequent appointment as Minister of Defence.
“Not yet, but I think I’ll be. Definitely,” Musa said. “The APC has given me the platform to present myself right from when I was CDS till date, so why not?”
The 58-year-old minister also voiced strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the president deserved the full backing of all well-meaning Nigerians. He said he was prepared to contribute in any way possible to ensure the success of the administration.
“Mr President needs all the support, totally,” Musa said. “I’ll give him all my support, whatever I can do to make sure that he succeeds in his call of duty, including moving forward to the second term. I think I’d give him my very best.”
General Musa served as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff from June 23, 2023, until his retirement on October 30, 2025. He was sworn in as Minister of Defence by President Tinubu on December 4, 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
His comments come against the backdrop of sustained political realignments since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The ruling APC has recorded a steady influx of high-profile defections, a trend that intensified throughout 2025 and has continued into 2026.
Several sitting governors have defected from opposition parties to the APC, including Abba Yusuf of Kano State from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as well as Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, all formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Most recently, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas formally joined the APC from the PDP, pushing the number of governors under the ruling party to 29.
While many defectors have cited internal crises and leadership disputes within opposition parties as reasons for their exit, the growing wave of defections has fuelled intense debate about Nigeria’s political landscape and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
