Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), has accepted his appointment as Secretary I of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Musa’s acceptance places the serving Defence Minister in a prominent role within the ruling party’s campaign structure as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to seek re-election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the leadership of the APC for considering him for the position.
Musa described the appointment as a “call to higher service,” assuring the party leadership and supporters that he would approach the responsibility with commitment and diligence.
He said, “I appreciate Mr. President and the leadership of our great party for the confidence reposed in me. I consider this appointment a call to higher service and I am committed to discharging the responsibilities entrusted to me with diligence and focus.”
Despite accepting the campaign appointment, the Defence Minister stressed that his principal responsibility remains the protection of Nigeria and its citizens.
According to him, the Defence Ministry’s ongoing military operations, strategic reforms and collaboration with other security agencies will continue without interruption.
He stated, “My primary responsibility remains safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of citizens.”
Musa added that the government would maintain its efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
“The ongoing operations, strategic reforms, and inter-agency collaborations across the defence sector will continue unabated with increased vigour,” he said.
The minister further reaffirmed his commitment to the mandate of the Defence Ministry and President Tinubu’s administration.
“Our resolve to uphold the mandate of the Ministry of Defence, protect our people, and drive Mr. President’s vision for a safe and prosperous Nigeria remains firm and unshakeable,” Musa declared.
He also appealed to APC members and Nigerians to remain united behind the administration, expressing optimism that the party would record success at the polls while continuing to deliver on governance and national security.
The appointment comes as political activities surrounding the 2027 presidential election continue to gather momentum, with the APC and opposition parties positioning themselves ahead of the contest.
Musa’s dual role as Defence Minister and a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council is therefore likely to place renewed attention on how the government balances its national security responsibilities with preparations for the forthcoming election.
