Minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains an asset to Northern Nigeria and the country at large.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his special assistant on political affairs, Ibrahim Goga, the former Zamfara governor described such claims as “baseless and politically motivated.”
He said: “President Tinubu has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to addressing the challenges facing our region.
“Those attacking him with propaganda are only seeking relevance after failing to secure their political future.”
Matawalle accused unnamed members of the political elite of sponsoring misinformation to deflect attention from their own poor records in office.
His words: “These individuals had the opportunity to lead but left no meaningful legacy.
“Today, they parade themselves as defenders of the people, using falsehoods and crocodile tears to win sympathy.”
He praised the Tinubu administration for what he described as major strides in security and infrastructure development, citing Operation ‘Fansan Yamma’ as a turning point in the fight against terrorism in the North.
“Our security forces, backed by the President’s proactive strategies, have recorded remarkable successes. Over 65 notorious bandit leaders have been neutralised and 200 terrorist camps destroyed,” he said.
According to him, recent festive seasons such as Easter and Ramadan were among the most peaceful in years for many northern communities.
The minister also pointed to the revival of long-abandoned federal projects, including the Zaria-Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, as proof of Tinubu’s commitment to regional development.
“These projects were abandoned for years, but President Tinubu has revived them. Critics deliberately ignore these achievements because they do not serve their narrative,” he said.
Matawalle called on northerners to reject what he described as “divisive rhetoric” and support the current administration in its pursuit of national unity and economic progress.
“We must be part of the solution, not the problem. The North stands to gain more through unity and support for a working leadership,” he said.