Tinubu Is a Strategic Asset to Northern Nigeria, Not a Liability – Defence Minister Matawalle

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has strongly refuted claims portraying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a political liability to Northern Nigeria, describing such assertions as unfounded and politically motivated.

In a statement released on Friday through his Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Goga, the former Governor of Zamfara State emphasized that President Tinubu remains a valuable asset not only to the North but to the entire nation. He pointed to the administration’s notable achievements in security, infrastructure, and efforts towards national unity.

 

“President Tinubu has shown exceptional dedication to resolving the security and developmental challenges facing our region,” Matawalle stated, adding that critics are merely attempting to regain political relevance after being sidelined.

He alleged that some members of the political elite, having failed to leave behind meaningful legacies during their time in power, are now sponsoring misinformation campaigns to tarnish the image of the current administration. “These are individuals who had their time in leadership but left behind no impactful results. Now, they masquerade as defenders of the people, spreading falsehoods and engaging in emotional blackmail to remain in the spotlight,” he said. Highlighting the administration’s progress in restoring security, Matawalle referenced Operation Fansar Yamma, an ongoing military initiative that has reportedly led to the neutralisation of over 65 notorious bandit leaders and the dismantling of more than 200 terrorist hideouts across the North.

 

“Our security forces, with the firm backing of President Tinubu’s leadership, have made commendable gains. This year’s Easter and Ramadan celebrations were among the most peaceful in recent memory for many northern communities,” he remarked. The Minister also drew attention to several key federal infrastructure projects currently underway in the North, including the Zaria-Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto expressway and the **Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway**, both of which had previously been abandoned.

 

“These critical projects are being revived under Tinubu’s leadership, yet detractors continue to ignore these achievements because they contradict their preferred narratives,” he noted. Dr. Matawalle urged Northerners to remain vigilant and not be swayed by divisive political rhetoric. He called for unity in supporting the current administration's vision for a secure and prosperous Nigeria. “We must all play our part in building the nation. The North has much to gain by standing united and supporting a leadership that is delivering results,” he concluded.

By Cyber_Coder