Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has responded to the North-East Forum’s (NEF) criticism of President Bola Tinubu, declaring that Tinubu’s leadership is key to shaping Nigeria’s future.
Matawalle, while addressing the threat by NEF to vote against Tinubu in 2027, asserted that anyone perceiving Tinubu as a failure is misguided and unable to recognize the progress under his leadership.
The NEF, through its spokesman Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, expressed regrets over the region’s support for Tinubu in 2023 and hinted at a shift in allegiance in future elections.
Matawalle dismissed NEF’s stance as a “political burden” and emphasized that the forum does not speak for the entire region. He criticized NEF’s inability to appreciate Tinubu’s achievements and accused them of seeking relevance through divisive rhetoric.
Highlighting Tinubu’s electoral victory in 2023, Matawalle questioned NEF’s authority to undermine the president’s mandate and threatened to unseat him.
Moreover, Matawalle challenged NEF’s track record of promoting unity in the North and accused them of neglecting government initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges.
He affirmed the North’s unity and commitment to supporting Tinubu’s presidency, citing the president’s efforts in fostering development and progress across the nation.
Matawalle concluded by urging NEF to acknowledge Tinubu’s contributions and embrace the positive transformation occurring under his leadership.
