ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, warned opposition politicians on Friday, July 24, 2026, against engaging in foreign lobbying and incitement against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan Wudil, Okay News reports that Matawalle criticized reported actions by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to engage a United States lobbying firm to circulate documents concerning Tinubu.
Matawalle said national interest must take precedence over partisan politics, adding that foreign entities will not determine the country’s democratic choices. According to the statement, “No foreign government or lobbying firm will determine Nigeria’s democratic choices or overturn the mandate freely bestowed on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Nigerian electorate.”
The minister said recent praise from United States President Donald Trump regarding Tinubu‘s leadership on security cooperation and counter-terrorism demonstrated international confidence in the administration.
Matawalle said sustained propaganda against a constitutionally elected government would not derail its developmental agenda. According to the statement, “Those promoting falsehoods and sponsoring divisive narratives against President Tinubu’s government should realise that such actions will ultimately rebound on them politically and morally, while Nigerians remain committed to safeguarding their democratic mandate.”
The minister called on opposition politicians to present credible policy alternatives and protect national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
