As the All Progressives Congress (APC) flags off its campaigns for the forthcoming general elections, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has urged the party faithful to create a conducive environment to ensure a fresh mandate for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during the inauguration of the National and Subnational Structures of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security, General Musa declared that every member of the Committee has a role to play in ensuring victory of their principal.
He said: “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 make that, provide that enabling environment for it to happen. That’s what we should be thinking about. And that’s why it’s very, very important that as we have started today, as we have been inaugurated today, everybody should know that he has a role to play in what’s going on.”
The Defence Minister, however, told the gathering of serving and retired military personnel to live up to expectations in providing adequate security in the course of the party campaigns across the 36 states of the federation.
“The survival of Nigeria is critical to all of us, because our families and everybody is here, and we must do everything possible to make sure that Nigeria is safe and secure. And our campaigns are peaceful and safe, because I think that is the most critical aspect of what we do. The party has continued to evolve. The President has done remarkably well. I think most of us, I find out that we’re not even talking so much as to what he has done. He has done so much for this country. And so it is important that we work together with the Information Directorate, so that we will be able to spread these things for individuals to understand what is going on, because like we said, social media is going to play a critical aspect in what we are doing. How we project what we are doing, how we enlighten Nigerians is very, very critical.”
General Sarkin Yaki Bello (rtd), Director, Intelligence and Security, APC-PCC, charged the team to deploy their professional experience in crowd management and containment of criminal activities.
“We must remain conscious of risks associated with public gatherings, broad movements, crowd management, misinformation, criminal activity, communal tensions, and other circumstances that could endanger campaign participants or members of the public, no less our own principal, Mr. President.
“These challenges require a team that is alert without being alarmist, decisive without being reckless, and firm without losing sight of the law. Our work must be grounded in credible information, sound assessment, and clearly defined responsibilities. We must distinguish verified intelligence from speculation, communicate risks promptly to the appropriate authorities, and ensure that decisions are proportionate to the evidence available. Our duty is to protect, Mr President, the people and not to threaten them, to preserve order, not to create fear, and to support a peaceful, democratic process, which is the vision of President Tinubu and his team.
“As the Directorate, I believe our work must be guided by several essential priorities. The first one is prevention through preparation. We must ensure that appropriate risk assessments, contingency arrangements, and emergency procedures are established before major campaign activities take place. Preparation is most valuable when it is completed before a crisis begins. Second is professional intelligence assessment. We must develop reliable channels for receiving, verifying, and evaluating relevant security information. Rumours must not be treated as facts, and consequential decisions must be based on credible evidence rather than assumptions.
“Thirdly, coordination and cooperation. We must work within clearly defined responsibilities and maintain appropriate communication with the legally authorised security agencies, emergency services, campaign organisers, and relevant public authorities. We cannot work in isolation.
“Fourthly, the protection of lives and public safety.
“The safety of the President, campaign leadership, staff, supporters, journalists, service personnel, and members of the public must remain central to our plan. Every gathering must be approached with due regard for crowd safety, emergency access and the possibility of unforeseen incidents.”
Giving the acceptance speech on behalf of his colleagues, Major-General Abdulmalik Jibrin (rtd) assured President Tinubu, who doubles as Chairman of the APC-PCC, that his team would discharge the assignments with seriousness, discipline, professionalism, and a determination to deliver on the responsibilities.
“We will endeavour to ensure that the duties assigned to us are discharged diligently, that our reports are accurate and timely, and that our recommendations are practical, evidence-based, and relevant to the decisions they are intended to support.
“We pledge to support these objectives within our respective mandates and in accordance with the approved institutional framework.
“We will work to strengthen communication and cooperation among the National, Zonal, and State Structures, while respecting established reporting relationships and avoiding unnecessary duplication of responsibilities.
“Our collective objective will be to ensure that the Directorate functions as a coordinated and results-oriented institution rather than merely as a collection of appointed officers.
“We will not allow personal interests, partisan emotions, or private grievances to compromise the quality of our professional responsibilities.
“Our commitment is to professional service, responsible advice, lawful conduct, and institutional credibility.”
- Media Report