The minister of state for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has described the Northern region’s support for President Bola Tinubu as unwavering just as he added that the president’s commitment to the region’s development and security was visible.
Matawalle stated this following alleged attempts by some politicians to undermine the President’s leadership, citing his style of governance as a reason.
Some northern leaders have been realigning politically ahead of the 2027 election. The latest of such meetings was between former presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Moreso, the simmering crisis in the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) erupted over the weekend as Senator Kabiru Marafa declared the revival of his faction. Matawalle was the immediate past governor of Zamfara State.
Reacting however to moves to unseat Tinubu by Northern politicians, the minister of state described such attempts as “mere power play by unpatriotic politicians with an entitlement mentality.”
According to a statement by the director of public relations in the Ministry of Defense Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle said “no amount of political gang up can unseat the president, and no amount of blackmail can stop him from contesting for the Presidential election come 2027.”
He reiterated that the alleged move, by some selfish politicians masquerading as oracle for the Northern region, is just mere power play by some unpatriotic northern politician without a grassroot base.
Speaking on the defence sector which he is handling, he said there was hope at the end of the tunnel as the President is committed to tackle the security situation head on.
“Let us unite around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to salvage our battered economy and politics. This campaign of some selected Northern Politicians that are uncomfortable with the President’s style of governance are advised to join hands with the President in his Renewed Hope Agenda of moving the country to a prosperous and secured nation.
The Minister highlighted the numerous benefits the North has derived from President Tinubu’s administration, including strategic appointments and infrastructural development.
He listed several key appointments held by Northerners, including himself as Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence, and others in key ministries.
He therefore called on the Northern political leaders to allow Tinubu ample time to get Nigeria’s economy back on track.
Stressing Tinubu’s commitment to security, the minister cited his efforts in the defence sector, including strategic policy development, counter-terrorism initiatives, capacity building, community engagement, regional security cooperation, humanitarian support, oversight, and coordination.
The minister also called on Northern political leaders to unite behind President Tinubu, to enable him implement his Renewed Hope Agenda and salvage the nation’s economy and politics.
He highlighted the president’s love and commitment to the North, pointing out the top political posts being handled by Northerners compared to other regions of the country.