Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, on Tuesday reaffirmed the unwavering support of the Northern region for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the President’s commitment to the region’s development and security is unshakeable.
Dr. Matawalle spoke amid alleged attempts by some politicians to undermine the President’s leadership, citing his style of governance as a reason.
However, in a statement by the Ministry of Defence Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, the Minister “dismissed these attempts as mere power play by unpatriotic politicians with an entitlement mentality.”
According to the statement: “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 which includes but not limited to:
Muhammed Idris – Minister of Information and National orientation
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Ali Pate
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security -Abubakar kyari
Minister of Youths- Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Atiku Bagudu
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation – Joseph utsve
Minister of Steel Development – Shuaibu Audu
Minister of State, Agriculture – Sabi Abdullahi
Minister of Special duties – Zephaniah Jisalo
Minister of Education Tahir Maman SAN
Minister of State Education Yusuf sununu
Minister of Police affairs Ibrahim Geidam
Minister of State Police Affairs Hon imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Minister of State water Resources Bello Goronto
Minister of Housing and urban development Ahmed Dangiwa
Minister of State Housing and urban Development Abdullahi Gwarzo
National Security Adviser
Director- General DSS
Director-General NIA
Chief of Defence Staff
Chief of Air Staff
Group Managing Director NNPCL
MD NPA just to mention a few.
“According to Dr. Matawalle, from the aformentioned list, he called on the Northern political leaders to allow Tinubu ample time to get Nigeria’s economy back on track.
“As the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle is playing a crucial role in actualizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate on security.
“He emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to security, citing 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 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 Mr. President’s love and commitment to the North, by listing the many benefits of having President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pointing out many juicy political posts are being handled by Northerners compared to other regions of the country.
“Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle is one of the ardent supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration saying that 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.
“To him, the alleged move, by some selfish Northern Politicians masquerading as oracle for the North is just mere
power play by some unpatriotic northern politician without grassroot base.”
Speaking on the the defence sector which he is handling, Matawalle 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,” Matawalle noted.
