The Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Christopher Musa (rtd), his counterpart, Bello Matawalle, retired military chiefs, and former top military officers have pledged to deploy their experience and expertise in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The pledge was made during the inauguration of the Directorate of Security and Intelligence (DSI) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where members committed themselves to ensuring a secure and peaceful campaign.

Among those at the inauguration were former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun (rtd); former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.

Director of the Directorate, retired Major-General Sarkin Yaki Bello, said the assignment required discipline, sound judgment, strategic coordination and a commitment to protecting the President and other participants in campaign activities.

He said the directorate would prioritise preventive security measures, credible intelligence gathering, risk assessment and cooperation with authorised security agencies to address potential threats before they escalated.

Bello warned against relying on rumours and unverified information, insisting that intelligence reports must be based on credible evidence and careful assessment. He also stressed that security arrangements must respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and participation in political activities without intimidation.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the inaugurated members, Adeosun expressed appreciation to Tinubu and the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in them, pledging professionalism, accountability and effective coordination across the directorate’s national, zonal and state structures.

He said members would ensure that their reports were accurate and timely, recommendations evidence-based, and sensitive information handled responsibly in accordance with applicable laws and institutional procedures.

Musa, who serves as secretary of the directorate, said security would be central to the party’s campaign, particularly as opposition parties were expected to focus on economic hardship and insecurity in their efforts to challenge the ruling party.

He called for teamwork, foresight and coordination across the country’s regions and states, urging members to work closely with the information directorate to communicate the administration’s achievements and policies to Nigerians.

“The return of Mr President is not an issue that we should even start worrying about, because, God willing, he’s coming back. Now it is how do we provide that enabling environment for it to happen,” Musa said.

The defence minister also pledged that his ministry would provide necessary support to ensure peaceful campaign activities, adding that the safety of Nigerians and the country remained a collective responsibility.

Olonisakin, chairman of the directorate’s Operations and Field Coordination Committee, said members would be deployed across the 36 states as campaign activities gathered momentum, urging them to deliver on their assignments.

He said the directorate had been tasked with ensuring effective coordination and security during the campaign, expressing confidence that the President would secure another term in office.

Retired Major-General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, Special Adviser on Homeland Security, also pledged to work towards a safe and orderly campaign process, warning that inadequate security could lead to chaos.

He said members would contribute their expertise to ensuring that campaign activities and the electoral process were conducted safely, expressing hope that the team would reconvene after the elections to celebrate both victory and a peaceful process.

Minister of State for Defence Matawalle, who serves as deputy director, wished members success, while other officials emphasised the importance of cooperation and discipline in carrying out their responsibilities.

Representing APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Deputy National Secretary Professor Abubakar Kana commended the directorate for organising itself and commencing operations ahead of the campaign.

Kana said the military background of many members offered lessons in discipline, organisation and respect for established command structures, which he described as important to effective campaign coordination.

He urged the directorate to ensure that campaign venues were assessed for safety before events, that participants were protected during gatherings, and that routes remained secure before and after campaign activities.

In his welcome address, Professor A.A. Chiroma said the directorate was established to provide a professional framework for intelligence and security support to the campaign council, including risk identification, security coordination and the protection of sensitive information.

The inauguration comes as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with party leaders and support groups mobilising across the country to secure Tinubu’s re-election.