Defence Minister Matawalle Criticizes Alleged Efforts to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration Ahead of Next General Election
Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, has criticized an alleged scheme to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, branding such actions as unpatriotic. The former governor of Zamfara State expressed his views following visits by prominent figures including PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former PDP chairman Ali Modu-Sheriff to former president Muhammadu Buhari’s residence in Daura.
Political commentators interpret these visits as indicative of a coordinated effort by northern politicians to oppose President Tinubu in the upcoming elections. Through the Ministry of Defence’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle labeled these politicians as disconnected from grassroots support and possessing an entitlement mentality. He emphasized that Tinubu enjoys robust backing from northern politicians with strong local bases.
Highlighting the considerable representation of northerners in Tinubu’s government, Matawalle listed key appointments: himself as Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence, Atiku Bagudu as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Muhammed Idris as Minister of Information and National Orientation, and many others in crucial roles.
In the security sector, notable northerners include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, DSS Director-General Yusuf Bauchi, NIA Director-General Ahmed Rufai, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar. Additionally, Mele Kyari serves as the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, and Bello Koko as Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority.
Matawalle urged northern political leaders to rally behind Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, aiming to advance Nigeria’s economic and political landscape. He expressed confidence that any plot to unseat Tinubu would fail, given the significant benefits the northern region has reaped under his leadership.
