By Julius Peter
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain the presidency in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the party will also emerge victorious in Kaduna State.
Musa made the assertion while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he responded to growing political debates over the prospects of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The minister’s comments came shortly after presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, told supporters that they were prepared to resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 polls.
Obi had warned that Nigerians would not allow their votes to be subverted at polling units, while Kwankwaso argued that the APC could be defeated at the presidential election despite its control of a large number of states.
Kwankwaso reportedly cited the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election as evidence that control of a large number of states does not automatically guarantee victory at the national level.
Responding to the opposition’s arguments and suggestions that the Tinubu administration could face declining support in parts of the North because of economic and political concerns, Musa dismissed the perception of widespread rejection of the APC as subjective.
“That’s a perception. It’s a perception, and I mean, everybody has his own perception to deal with. People will always have the good, the bad, and the ugly,” the minister said.
Musa was particularly emphatic when asked about the APC’s chances in Kaduna State, where the political contest ahead of 2027 is already attracting considerable attention.
Asked whether the APC could lose Kaduna in the forthcoming elections, the minister responded: “I cannot say cannot lose. APC will win in Kaduna. That I know.”
When asked whether his prediction covered only the presidential election or also the governorship contest, Musa replied in the affirmative.
“Definitely. Presidential, governorship, and all levels,” he said.
The statement amounts to a strong expression of confidence from one of the administration’s senior officials, particularly because Kaduna occupies an important position in northern Nigerian politics.
The defence minister also rejected suggestions that opposition to President Tinubu and the APC was steadily increasing across the northern region.
According to Musa, some of the narratives about widespread rejection of the ruling party may be driven by individuals attempting to exploit public dissatisfaction.
He argued that personal circumstances could influence the way some Nigerians assess the performance of the government.
“That’s why I said there are some people, because probably they are not where they think they are, the tendency is they want to whip up sentiments. APC is this, APC is that,” he said.
His comments come against the backdrop of intense political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and political figures seeking to challenge the APC’s dominance.
Kaduna, in particular, is expected to be one of the states closely watched during the next election cycle because of its political significance and its role in determining voting patterns in the North.
Beyond the electoral prediction, Musa defended the policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the President had taken difficult decisions that would eventually produce positive results.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the government, saying that some of the benefits of the reforms would become more visible with time.
The Tinubu administration has implemented a number of major economic reforms since taking office, including measures that have generated significant public debate over their immediate impact on households and businesses.
For the government and its supporters, the reforms are necessary steps toward restructuring the economy and creating conditions for long-term growth. Critics, however, have continued to question the pace at which Nigerians are benefiting from the government’s policies.
The disagreement over the administration’s performance is expected to become an increasingly important issue as political parties prepare for the 2027 campaign season.
Musa’s declaration adds another significant voice to the growing political conversation surrounding the 2027 presidential election.
While the minister spoke confidently about the APC’s prospects, the final outcome will ultimately be determined by voters at the polls.
The opposition is already positioning itself to challenge the ruling party, while the APC is seeking to consolidate its political structure and defend the gains it made in previous elections.
For Kaduna, the contest is expected to attract particular attention as political parties work to build structures across the state’s three senatorial districts and secure support among voters.
Recent political developments indicate that the state is already witnessing considerable manoeuvring ahead of the elections, with politicians and parties preparing for what could become a closely watched contest.
The APC, however, appears determined to project confidence and maintain its hold on the state.
Musa’s prediction that Tinubu will retain the presidency and that the APC will win Kaduna at all levels therefore represents the ruling party’s confidence in its political machinery and its assessment of the mood in the region.
