Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a significant asset to Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole, urging citizens to dismiss what he termed “baseless and politically motivated” criticisms against the president.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by his Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Goga, Matawalle, who previously served as Governor of Zamfara State, condemned recent attacks on Tinubu, asserting that they are driven by individuals who failed to secure their political ambitions.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to addressing the challenges facing our region,” the minister stated. “Those attacking him with propaganda are only seeking relevance after failing to secure their political future.”
He accused unnamed political figures of sponsoring misinformation campaigns as a way to divert attention from their own lackluster performance while in office. “These individuals had the opportunity to lead but left no meaningful legacy,” he said. “Today, they parade themselves as defenders of the people, using falsehoods and crocodile tears to win sympathy.”
Matawalle commended the Tinubu administration for what he described as significant progress in security and infrastructure development. He pointed to Operation Fansan Yamma, a recent military offensive against terrorism in the North, as a major success, noting that over 65 notorious bandit leaders have been neutralized and more than 200 terrorist camps destroyed.
“Our security forces, backed by the President’s proactive strategies, have recorded remarkable successes,” he said, adding that recent festive seasons like Easter and Ramadan were among the most peaceful in years for northern communities.
The minister also praised the revival of previously neglected infrastructure projects under the current administration. He cited the Zaria-Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway as examples of Tinubu’s dedication to regional development.
“These projects were abandoned for years, but President Tinubu has revived them. Critics deliberately ignore these achievements because they do not serve their narrative,” he stated.
Calling for unity across the North, Matawalle urged the region’s residents to reject divisive rhetoric and rally behind the Tinubu administration. “We must be part of the solution, not the problem,” he said. “The North stands to gain more through unity and support for a working leadership.”
