The Federal Government has dismissed claims by NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that President Bola Tinubu will be defeated in the 2027 general elections.

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), said the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained confident of retaining the Presidency and winning elections at other levels.

Musa spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso addressed supporters in Port Harcourt on the 2027 election.

Kwankwaso had argued that the APC’s control of more than 30 states did not guarantee victory, citing Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 presidential election.

Musa dismissed suggestions that the APC was facing growing rejection in northern Nigeria, describing such claims as a matter of perception.

“That’s a perception. It’s a perception, and I mean, everybody has his own perception to deal with,” he said.

Asked whether the APC could lose Kaduna State in 2027, Musa expressed confidence that the party would retain the state.

“APC will win in Kaduna. That I know,” he said, adding that his prediction covered the presidential, governorship and other elections.

The minister also defended the Tinubu administration’s policies, saying the President had taken difficult decisions whose effects would become clearer over time.

Earlier, Obi warned that voters would resist attempts to manipulate the 2027 election and urged Nigerians to ensure that their votes counted.

He said the opposition would be prepared to prevent intimidation at polling units and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Kwankwaso, meanwhile, urged Nigerians to choose their leaders carefully, warning that electing inexperienced leaders could have costly consequences for the country.