Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a burden to Northern Nigeria, saying the region is already reaping the benefits of his administration.
In a statement released through his Senior Aide on Politics, Hon. Ibrahim Danmaliki Gidan Goga, Matawalle said President Tinubu has brought stability to Nigeria’s democracy and remains focused on addressing Northern challenges, especially insecurity.
“Our people in the North are wise enough not to be misled by individuals who failed to secure their political future,” he said. “These are people who once held power but failed to make any meaningful impact. Now, they resort to mischief to stay relevant.”
He accused some politicians of resorting to propaganda and misinformation to stay in the public eye, claiming they were only bitter over their exclusion from appointments.
“These individuals are not to be trusted with our future. When given the mandate in the past, they squandered it, and now they blame others for their failures,” he said.
Matawalle urged unity and collective support for President Tinubu’s administration, particularly in its ongoing fight against insecurity in the North.
“We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated into becoming part of the problem. Instead, we must rally behind the President to ensure lasting peace and development in the North,” he urged.
He praised the success of Operation Fasan Yamma and other military efforts, noting that under the President’s directive, “Our gallant military and police forces, supported by the President’s strategy, have achieved major breakthroughs.
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“Over 65 known bandit leaders were eliminated, hundreds of foot soldiers neutralized, and 200 camps destroyed in record time.”
Taking aim at the administration’s critics, Matawalle questioned their silence during previous crises.
“Where were they when our people were being killed and displaced by bandits?” he asked. “Instead of offering support or visiting affected communities, they lived in luxury. Now, they shed crocodile tears to gain cheap popularity among people they previously abandoned.”
He cited the relatively peaceful Ramadan and Sallah celebrations in the North as evidence of improved security.
“There were significantly fewer reports of bandit attacks and kidnappings. People went about their businesses during the blessed month. This is proof that the President’s efforts are yielding results, even though his critics remain silent,” he said.
Highlighting key infrastructure, he pointed to the Zaria-Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto expressway and the re-awarded Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway as signs of renewed federal commitment.
“These are projects that had been ignored or abandoned for years. Now, they are being revived and executed under President Tinubu,” he said. “Yet, some elites continue to overlook these achievements to paint a negative picture.”
Matawalle ended by reaffirming Tinubu’s dedication to peace, development, and a more secure future for all Nigerians.