Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, has accused his detractors of trying to use delicate security matters as propaganda.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Dosara, his media assistant, the Minister bemoaned the fact that he is the target of politically motivated and malevolent attacks meant to harm his reputation.
He claimed that individuals whose political aspirations for 2027 are jeopardized by the government’s security changes are the ones funding the attacks.
He claimed that the attackers are politicians attempting to divert him from his work in order to gain prominence.
“Public service demands courage, consistency, and a commitment to truth,” he said.
“It is nothing more than desperate political propaganda to try to drag my name into irrelevant events.”
Matawalle clarified that even before he was elected governor of Zamfara, banditry was a pervasive problem.
“Banditry was not a problem that was invented under my watch,” he said. It had expanded over many years.
He claimed that his administration had improved intelligence, created high-level committees, implemented organized security measures, and convicted criminals.
He added that disarmament initiatives were carried out with military assistance and that compromised traditional rulers were eliminated.
During his tenure as governor, the minister reported that 11 Chinese nationals engaged in illicit mining were deported and thousands of kidnapped victims were freed. He claimed that anyone attempting to falsify this record is using innocent people’s suffering as a political tool.
Matawalle added that because of these precautions, Zamfara had avoided significant security issues for more than a year.
“I received harassment and intimidation,” he said, adding that he experienced abuse while working on the rescue of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi. However, I resisted giving in to pressure. Humanity is the most important thing.
He said that those criticizing him are driven by the 2027 political contest and are terrified of the continuing defense reforms.
“My loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains total,” he said, reiterating his commitment to the president. He won’t be swayed by propaganda.
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