Matawalle: Group Warns Against Smear Campaigns, Fake News

The Guardians of One Nigeria (GON), a sociocultural group with a vast network across Nigeria, has warned those it describes as “enemies of Nigeria” to stop playing politics with the country’s security.
The group said, “No amount of propaganda, campaigns of calumny or fake news could make a president of a serious nation like Nigeria be distracted in his quest to sustain fights against insurgency, terrorism, with the goal of restoring utmost security to the country.”

The GON was reacting to some rumours making the rounds on social media on Tuesday, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may have sacked the minister of defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, the minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, and the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu.

The rumour, which was never published by any conventional medium or notable online news site; reportedly quoted a purported statement issued by the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alluding that “the dismissal of the defence ministers was due to their failure to stop the ongoing killings of innocent Nigerians across the country.”

In a statement signed by Arch. Darius Ishakwu and Chief Nurudeen Isiaka, president and secretary general, respectively, yesterday, the group described the news as “fake news” and cautioned whoever was behind the propaganda to desist immediately.

The group, made up of retired security personnel, paramilitary, and other professionals who have been working tirelessly to assist the security agencies in homeland defence and neighbourhood watch, said the insecurity situation in Nigeria is perennial and preceded the present administration. It said the current minister of state for defence deserves commendations, as he has surpassed his predecessors in sustaining the onslaught against the insurgents.

“If the defence minister in the past administrations had done half of what Matawalle has done in less than 2 years, we would not have been here discussing insecurity in this tone. The dexterity with which the chief of defence staff, General Chris Musa, also faces the monstrous challenge of insecurity, which is a testament to a great synergy amongst the service chiefs and the Defence Ministry.

“Just yesterday, when the enemies of Nigeria went out to plant the fake news online, the honourable minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle and the CDS, General Musa, were in Borno State, to pay operational visit to those patriotic personnel at the Theater of War, to encourage them and possibly get first hand feedback from those who bear the brunt. The governor of the state, Prof. Zulu, was on hand to receive them, and together, they were conducted round the troops’ camps.

“There are tactical means the current administration is devising in fighting insurgencies, banditry and terrorism. These are not fights you take to social media. These are not what anyone should play politics with. Suppose anyone wishes President Tinubu well in his administration. In that case, such a person should suggest plausible ways to assist the existing security agencies and the Defence Chiefs, through intelligence gathering, community policing, homeland defence, neighbourhood watch, and other possible means.

“This is what we stand for in Guardians of One Nigeria. We believe that security is not a one-man show. The government alone cannot do it. We need to rally round with great support. But, if anyone has nothing meaningful to offer, such a fellow should better keep his mouth shut, rather than playing dirty politics at the expense of the lives of our people. The year 2027 would come and go, but Nigeria would still remain as one”, the statement added.

The group, speaking further, said it was on record that Matawalle had devoted his energy to visiting troops on the front line.

It said, “He (Matawalle) knows his onions and should not be distracted. We will continue to support him to achieve his aim of bringing insurgencies to a standstill in Nigeria.”