Numerous pro-democracy activists on Wednesday landed the National Assembly in a demonstration, demanding the ousting of the Minister of Defence due to the escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
The demonstrators held various banners that called for the removal of the Minister of Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, based on alleged involvement in the crisis, particularly in Zamfara state.
These protesters, organized under the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity, also accused the Defence Minister of having connections with bandits responsible for the loss of lives and property in the northern part of the country.
They appealed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to use his influence with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure Matawalle is dismissed from his position.
The spokesperson for the protesting group, Danesi Momoh, asserted that the Defence Minister needs to provide explanations, especially in light of his recent indictment by a panel established by the Zamfara State government.
Reading the group’s petition, Momoh said, “For a Senate that has since inauguration been preaching anti-corruption and socioeconomic hygiene, allowing a man of questionable character like Bello Matawalle pass your screening without you doing anything to remedy it when the facts are out is a direct mockery of your avowed legislative objectives.
“Your Excellency would recall that many well-meaning Nigerians were vehemently opposed to Matawelle’s appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic following his antecedents as the Governor of Zamfara State.
“A Defence Portfolio to an inefficient and corrupt leader who allegedly romanced bandits was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of this administration, but it can be corrected with the Senate giving a voice in that direction.
“Note that Bello Matawalle’s criminal hoarding of all utility vehicles belonging to the Zamfara State Government shortly after exiting power, and the hullabaloo that greeted his unsportsmanlike behaviour portray him as somebody who suffers kleptomania and also a direct enemy of progress and development.
“We are afraid this might be replicated in the Ministry of Defence at the detriment of our patriotic Military. Governor Dauda Lawal had to fight to recover those vehicles and save the impoverished people of Zamfara State from further depleting their meagre resources in the purchase of new vehicles when they already had many, but which were stolen.
“There are high standards expected of a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They must be persons of unquestionable character and proven integrity. Unfortunately, the glaring revelations by the Zamfara State Government have shown Matawalle to be very deficit in character and lacking in integrity.
“On Friday, October 20, 2023, he spuriously denied the allegation of embezzling billions of Naira through the Zamfara Cargo Airport project; a development that pushed the State Government to reel out evidence backing the allegations.
“The evidence contained pictures and updates on financial records about the uncompleted Gusau International (Cargo) Airport project.
“If a barefaced liar like Matawelle is allowed to remain in power as the Minister of Defence or in any other capacity, the funds meant for fighting insecurity and indeed protecting our territorial integrity will not only be embezzled but end up in the hands of bandits and terrorists with no sense of accountability.
“Your Excellency, details of Matawalle’s financial malfeasance and administrative rascality as has now been made public is nauseating and frightening. Something urgent has to be done. And we call on the Senate to weigh in to ensure that he is immediately removed to restore some hope in good governance.
“Let us also assure you that we know how limited your role could be, but it is very important that in the national interest, you play that role. We shall also be mounting pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose table the buck stops directly to replace him. All the Senate needs is to play its part.
“Matawalle is a national security danger and a man of tainted personality. He is unfit to be a member of the Federal Executive Council. The Senate should help in easing him off the public office space.”
The Director Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, Malam Salihu Abdullahi, who received the petition on behalf of the Senate President, said he was satisfied with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the protesters promising to convey their grievances to the appropriate authorities.