2027: I’ll remain professional despite APC campaign role – Musa

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has assured Nigerians that his involvement in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign team will not compromise his professionalism or responsibilities as the nation’s defence chief ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Musa gave the assurance while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said his primary allegiance remained to Nigeria and its security, regardless of political affiliations.

The Defence Minister said his professional responsibilities would guide his conduct throughout the election period, stressing that he would not use his position to disadvantage opposition parties.

“I am a professional, I will never succumb to that level (being partisan against opposition), Nigeria is my unit, whatever it takes to protect Nigeria that is what we stand for,” he said.

Musa said security agencies would work with all political parties to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

According to him, the government would support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in delivering elections that are free, fair and credible.

“We want a peaceful election, so we are going to work towards that and we are going to work with all the parties because that is why I am Minister of Defence, to ensure that every security force does what is right,” he said.

He added that Nigeria needed to move beyond the security challenges that have historically disrupted elections, assuring that security agencies would do everything necessary to prevent a recurrence.

“So like I said, we are going to support INEC to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible because we want Nigeria to come out of all these election issues. We have gone past that,” Musa said.

The minister also maintained that the country’s security situation had improved, noting that attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP had become less frequent.

He said security forces were increasingly taking the fight to terrorist enclaves while recovering some people abducted by the groups.

Musa further identified ineffective local government administration as one of the factors contributing to insecurity, arguing that stronger local institutions would help address security challenges at the grassroots.