CG MUSA; A TRUE NIGERIAN PATRIOT
:WHY WE MUST NOT ALLOW POLITICS TO DESTROY OUR UNITY
Editorial of Privilege Magazine
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
There are moments in the life of a nation when a controversy becomes bigger than the individual at its centre. It becomes a test of who we are, what we believe in and what kind of country we want to leave behind for the next generation.
The recent controversy surrounding General Christopher Gwabin Musa is one of such moments.
Yet, as history repeatedly demonstrates, God can turn what is intended for destruction into something constructive.
General Musa was subjected to intense public scrutiny after speaking about the pains and realities experienced by Nigerians. Unfortunately, his intervention was interpreted by some through the narrow prism of politics, religion and regional sentiment.
What a world! What a country!
But those who know General Musa, his military career and his record of service know the man behind the uniform: a patriot, a soldier, a servant of Nigeria and a believer in national unity.
A man who has sacrificed his life and comfort in defence of Nigeria should not be reduced to one controversial moment, one interview or one interpretation of his words.
His record speaks louder.
And today, as the noise surrounding the controversy subsides, one fact remains unmistakable:
General Christopher Gwabin Musa continues to serve Nigeria.
Why?
Because service is not merely his profession.
It is his calling.
RETURNING TO THE FOUNDING COVENANT
To understand why General Musa deserves to be judged fairly, we must return to the principles upon which Nigeria’s national project was built.
Our founding fathers never pretended that Nigerians were identical. They understood our differences of religion, ethnicity, language and region.
Their challenge was not that we should become the same.
Their challenge was that we should remain one despite our differences.
That is precisely the Nigeria General Musa represents.
- AHMADU BELLO — UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES
Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, understood the complexity of Nigeria’s diversity.
His famous appeal was:
«“No, let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a northerner. You are a Christian and an easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.”»
And in 1956, at Lugard Hall in Kaduna, the Sardauna declared:
“We seek unity but not uniformity!”
The message was profound.
Nigeria’s strength was never supposed to come from pretending that our differences do not exist. It was supposed to come from understanding, respecting and managing those differences in the interest of the common good.
That is the antidote to the politics of suspicion.
General Musa is a Christian from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna, a son of the Middle Belt, who rose through the Nigerian military to become Chief of Defence Staff and subsequently Minister of Defence.
He has served Nigerians across religious, ethnic and geographical boundaries.
His career has taken him through different theatres of Nigeria’s security challenges.
He has not been a soldier for one tribe.
He has not been a soldier for one religion.
He has been a soldier for Nigeria.
A political tool exploits differences for advantage.
A patriot manages differences for unity.
- NNAMDI AZIKIWE — NIGERIA MUST REMAIN INDIVISIBLE
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Zik of Africa, was one of the great apostles of Nigerian nationalism.
He warned against attempts to create divisions between North and South, East and West, or among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities.
At Independence, Nigeria’s motto was expressed as:
“Unity and Faith.”
Zik’s message was unmistakable: our diversity must never become an excuse for destroying our common national identity.
During the constitutional debates of the First Republic, the principle of Nigerian federation was repeatedly defended against forces seeking fragmentation.
This is where General Musa’s story becomes relevant.
When a senior military officer speaks about the consequences of insecurity and the suffering of Nigerians, we should first ask:
What is the intention?
Is he defending a political party?
Is he attacking a religion?
Is he promoting ethnic division?
Or is he speaking from the experience of a man who has spent decades witnessing the consequences of insecurity?
Those are important distinctions.
Reducing every national-security conversation to North versus South or Christian versus Muslim is precisely the type of thinking that Nigeria’s founding nationalists warned against.
General Musa’s record suggests something different.
His loyalty is to Nigeria.
- OBAFEMI AWOLOWO — UNITY MUST BE BUILT ON JUSTICE
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Sage, brought another dimension to Nigeria’s national conversation.
For Awo, unity could not survive on slogans alone. It had to be supported by a political and constitutional structure capable of delivering fairness and justice.
His famous argument was that:
“Only a truly federal constitution can unite Nigeria.”
The deeper lesson is that unity cannot be sustained by force or sentiment.
People must feel that the nation belongs to them.
A child in Sokoto deserves security just as much as a child in Enugu.
A farmer in Plateau deserves protection just as much as a trader in Lagos.
A family in Southern Kaduna deserves peace just as much as a family in Kano.
That is the Nigeria General Musa has spent his career defending.
A political operative protects a political interest.
A patriot protects the people.
THE TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO KNOW MUSA
This editorial is not based merely on our personal opinion.
Across political, religious, regional and civil-society lines, prominent Nigerians have spoken about General Musa’s character, professionalism, patriotism and commitment to Nigeria.
Among the voices are:
- PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
President Tinubu described General Musa as a “fine gentleman” and pointed to his extensive operational experience and leadership record in appointing him to lead the Defence Ministry.
- GOVERNOR UBA SANI OF KADUNA STATE
Governor Uba Sani has repeatedly described General Musa as an illustrious son of Kaduna State and praised his courage, professionalism and integrity.
- GOVERNOR CALEB MUTFWANG OF PLATEAU STATE
Governor Mutfwang has paid glowing tribute to Musa’s military career, describing him as a professional soldier who led with courage, empathy and love for country.
- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Federal Government has consistently recognised General Musa’s patriotism, operational experience and multi-dimensional approach to Nigeria’s security challenges.
- SENATOR SHEHU SANI
The former Kaduna Central Senator has questioned attempts to make Musa a scapegoat for broader security and political problems, urging attention to the real causes of insecurity.
- LUKA BINNIYAT
The National Spokesman of the Middle Belt Forum strongly defended General Musa and argued that he should not be forced into an apology over remarks he considered justified.
- JONATHAN ASAKE
The former President of SOKAPU joined other Middle Belt voices in defending Musa’s position and record.
- DR. OLUMIDE OLAYINKA ADEOSUN
The Convener of Citizens Support for Good Governance has publicly defended Musa against what he described as political misrepresentation.
- COMRADE HAMIS DANBABA MALUMFASHI
The President of the Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum has also defended Musa’s record and intentions.
- ENGR. ZANA GONI
Representing the North-East in the Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development, Zana Goni joined voices defending Musa.
- DR. MOHAMMED SULEMAN
Representing the North-West in the same coalition, Dr. Suleman supported scrutiny of the broader issues surrounding the controversy rather than scapegoating Musa.
- PROF. JOHN ANAHO
The North-Central representative of the coalition also joined the defence of Musa.
- COMRADE TAHIR TANKO
Chairman of the Kaduna State Muslim-Christian Network for Good Governance, Tanko described Musa’s assessment as honest and patriotic.
- STEVEN KEFAS
Secretary of the Kaduna State Muslim-Christian Network, Kefas joined the network’s defence of Musa.
- ADAMU ABDULLAHI
Publicity Secretary of the Kaduna Muslim-Christian Network, Abdullahi was among those who endorsed the network’s position.
- MOHAMMED LAWAL
An APC chieftain, Lawal expressed support for the Defence Minister and argued that Musa, given his position and decades of military experience, has a responsibility to speak candidly about matters affecting national security.
- COMRADE GODWIN ERHERIENE
Executive Director of the Communal Responsibility and Civic Minded Foundation, Erheriene declared the organisation’s unwavering support for Musa and defended his right to speak on national-security matters.
- IMAM MUHAMMED KABIR KASIM
Chairman of the Council of Imams in Southern Kaduna, Imam Kasim described Musa as an upright military officer and public servant and urged Nigerians to consider the context of his remarks.
- MALLAM GARBA ALHASSAN ADAMU
Of JNI Southern Kaduna/Jema’a, Garba Adamu said Musa’s objective was peace and called for disagreements to be handled without turning fellow Nigerians into enemies.
- REV. EZEKIEL JOCK
A CAN representative from Kachia LGA, Rev. Jock called for facts rather than emotion and urged Nigerians to separate individuals from controversial statements.
- AMBASSADOR POLYCARP GANKON
National Coordinator of GCG Musawah 4 PBAT 2027, Ambassador Gankon has publicly praised Musa’s engagement with grassroots mobilisation and his contribution to the national political conversation.
These voices do not all come from the same religion.
They do not come from the same ethnic group.
They do not belong to the same political constituency.
And that is precisely the point.
The defence of Musa has crossed religious, regional, ethnic and political boundaries.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: NIGERIA IS BIGGER THAN MUSA
The significance of these voices is not simply that they defended one individual.
The bigger lesson is that Nigeria must learn to disagree without destroying one another.
Muslims must be able to defend Christians.
Christians must be able to defend Muslims.
Northern Nigerians must be able to defend Southern Nigerians.
Southern Nigerians must be able to defend Northern Nigerians.
A Middle Belt man should be able to stand for a man from another region.
A Yoruba should be able to defend a Hausa.
A Hausa should be able to defend an Igbo.
A Christian should be able to defend a Muslim.
A Muslim should be able to defend a Christian.
Because at the end of the day:
We are Nigerians.
No Christian versus Muslim.
No North versus South.
No Hausa-Fulani versus Berom.
No tribe versus tribe.
One Nigeria.
WE MUST NOT PLAY POLITICS WITH HUMAN LIVES
This is where the conversation must become bigger than General Musa.
We must never play politics with human lives.
We must never play politics with terrorism.
We must never play politics with the blood of soldiers.
We must never play politics with the tears of victims of insecurity.
And we must never weaponise religion or ethnicity simply because a public figure has said something politically inconvenient.
General Musa should not become a scapegoat for problems that predate him and transcend him.
Judge the man by his record.
Judge him by his service.
Judge him by his character.
Judge him by his commitment to Nigeria.
Not by the loudest political narrative of the moment.
TINUBU AND THE LONG ROAD OF NATIONAL REBUILDING
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not be able to solve every Nigerian problem overnight.
No government can.
Nation-building is a process.
Security challenges accumulated over decades cannot disappear in a few months.
Economic reforms also require time to produce their full effect.
Where the Constitution and democratic process permit, Nigerians will ultimately decide whether the Tinubu administration deserves another mandate.
But whatever our political preferences may be, General Musa should not be used as a political scapegoat.
He has served governments of different political colours.
He has worn the Nigerian uniform.
He has stood on battlefields where political arguments mean very little compared with the value of human life.
That experience deserves respect.
THE MEANING OF MUSA
There is also something deeply symbolic about the name Musa.
In both Biblical and Islamic traditions, Moses—Musa—stands as a figure associated with leadership, courage, obedience and deliverance.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa bears that name while serving the Nigerian nation.
But his greatest testimony is not his name.
It is his record.
His uniform.
His sacrifices.
His service.
His commitment to the Nigerian project.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS LEFT US A CHOICE
The Sardauna taught us:
Understand our differences.
Zik taught us:
Protect our unity.
Awolowo taught us:
Build justice into the structure of the federation.
General Musa’s journey brings these principles together.
He represents a Nigeria where a Christian from Southern Kaduna can rise to the highest levels of national security leadership.
He represents a Nigeria where competence can transcend religion and ethnicity.
He represents a Nigeria where service to country is greater than sectional identity.
That is the Nigeria we should defend.
We must not be the generation that tears apart what previous generations struggled to build.
Those who deliberately fan the embers of hatred and division are not strengthening Nigeria.
They are weakening the house we all inhabit.
Nigeria is bigger than our differences.
Nigeria is bigger than politics.
Nigeria is bigger than religion.
Nigeria is bigger than General Musa.
But General Musa is also a reminder of what Nigeria can produce when Nigerians are given the opportunity to serve beyond the boundaries of tribe, faith and region.
Therefore, let us lower the temperature.
Let us reject the politics of scapegoating.
Let us defend the truth without hatred.
Let us disagree without becoming enemies.
Let us remember the soldiers who stand between Nigeria and those who seek to destroy her.
And above all, let us remember that Nigeria is our common inheritance.
ONE NATION.
ONE PEOPLE.
ONE DESTINY.
Let politics never become bigger than Nigeria.
Let religion never become bigger than Nigeria.
Let ethnicity never become bigger than Nigeria.
And let no controversy become an excuse to destroy the unity for which generations before us sacrificed.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa is not a political tool.
He is a Nigerian patriot who has spent his life serving Nigeria.
And Nigeria must remain one.
