The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has accepted his appointment as Deputy Director, Security and Intelligence I of the All Progressives Congress 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
The appointment places the former Zamfara State governor in a key position within the campaign’s security structure as the APC begins preparations for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The campaign council named General Sarki Yaki as Director of Security and Intelligence, with Matawalle serving as one of five deputies in the directorate.
Other deputies are Yusuf Gagdi, General A.T. Ibrahim, General Junaidu Sani Bindawa and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Matawalle, in his reaction to the appointment, thanked Tinubu and the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in him.
The minister recalled his role as the North-West Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 election, when he worked across the seven states of the zone in support of Tinubu’s presidential bid.
He described that experience as one of the important chapters of his political career, saying he was humbled by the opportunity to serve again.
Matawalle pledged to bring the experience and relationships developed during the 2023 campaign to his new assignment.
“I will work closely with the Director-General and every member of the Presidential Campaign Council in a spirit of unity and professionalism,” he said.
He added that he would give the assignment his best and remain focused on securing victory for Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
The minister also said his support for the Tinubu administration had continued since the 2023 election.
He cited the Tinubu Again Movement, which he said was established to communicate the administration’s policies, programmes and achievements to Nigerians across the country.
The Ministry of Defence also welcomed Matawalle’s appointment, describing it as recognition of his experience in public service, security management and political mobilisation.
The ministry said his responsibilities would include contributing to the security architecture for campaign activities, intelligence and risk assessment, as well as coordination with security agencies.
It added that Matawalle would liaise with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women groups to strengthen the campaign’s security and stakeholder coordination framework.
The ministry also highlighted his work as Minister of State for Defence, including policy implementation, engagements with security agencies and efforts relating to troops’ welfare and defence infrastructure.
Matawalle has in recent months been involved in Nigeria’s international defence engagements. In May, he led Nigeria’s delegation to the SAHA Expo in Türkiye, where discussions focused on strengthening defence partnerships and improving the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
He was also involved in a Nigeria-Jordan defence cooperation agreement covering intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, defence capability development and military training.
His latest political assignment consequently places his campaign experience alongside his current government responsibilities in the security sector.
Matawalle said he was ready for the task and pledged his loyalty, diligence and dedication to the campaign.
The appointment is part of the APC’s broader preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the campaign council drawing from political leaders, serving government officials, security figures and mobilisation structures.
