Group Alleges Smear Campaign Against Matawalle

A group, Northern Awareness Network (NAN), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what it described as a growing campaign of calumny against the minister of State for Defence, Mohammad Bello Matawalle.

It warned that the development could undermine security and political stability in the North.

In a statement issued by its chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, the group alleged that following the recent resignation of the minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, certain political interests had intensified efforts to discredit Matawalle.

NAN claimed that the attacks were part of a wider political strategy purportedly aimed at weakening President Tinubu’s support base in the North ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the organisation, intelligence it gathered suggested that Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, was linked to activities allegedly intended to stir public unrest and mobilise protests against the minister. The group said such actions could heighten tensions in the already fragile security environment in the North-West.

“These machinations are clearly designed to destabilise the region and erode the President’s strong support base,” the statement read.

“The President must be wary of those seeking to weaken his administration through orchestrated attacks on loyal allies like Matawalle.”

The group further drew parallels between current security concerns in Kebbi State and the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State, warning that any missteps in managing the situation could have far-reaching political consequences.

It argued that Minister Matawalle had demonstrated firm commitment to improving security and had earned the trust of many northern communities.

“Northern Nigeria stands united in appreciating Matawalle’s efforts. His initiatives have yielded tangible results, and attempts to tarnish his image are distractions from the real issues,” NAN stated.

The group urged President Tinubu to reaffirm his confidence in the minister, stressing that sidelining him would amount to a strategic error in the buildup to the next general election.

NAN also called for a public denouncement of what it described as “baseless attacks” against the Defence Minister, insisting that Matawalle remained a key pillar in sustaining political cohesion and public confidence in the North.