Matawalle affirms north’s support for Tinubu following former SGF comment over 2027 re-election ambition
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has pushed back on recent comments by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGoF), Babachir David Lawal over the much-talked-about 2027 presidential ambition of President Bola Tinubu.
Recall Lawal had said the North was considering forcing President Tinubu to step down ahead of the general election in 2027.
He reiterated (Nasir) El-Rufai’s warning that “The north is seriously mobilising with a consensus that Bola Tinubu must give way in the 2027 election.
“There is no doubt about the consensus. There’s no argument about that. I may not have been supporting El-Rufai’s position. But on this one, I will join him to see how we can stop Bola Tinubu from winning the 2027 election. Because if he does win, you know there will be one large refugee camp.”
Matawalle stressed that the President has made commendable strides in governance and that Lawal and his associates will be surprised by the resounding support the President will receive from the North.
In a statement by Henshaw Ogwubike, the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Matawalle said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been in office for just 19 months, has made significant contributions to all regions, including the North. The people of the North will rally behind Mr. President to build upon the achievements and reforms he has initiated.”
The Minister highlighted several key areas where President Tinubu has made impactful reforms that warrant support from the Northern electorate particularly in security and defence.
In 2024, he pointed out, security forces neutralised over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, arrested 11,600 criminals, and recovered more than 10,000 weapons. This robust action has significantly improved security across the North.
‘’The successful rescue of approximately 8,000 kidnap victims underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens.
‘’Also, the establishment of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) in December 2024, in collaboration with the UK’s National Crime Agency, has enhanced strategic coordination in the fight against kidnapping,” he added.
Matawalle emphasized that ‘the North remains steadfast in its support for President Tinubu. Any insinuation to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to sow discord and undermine our national security.
The Minister said economic Initiatives like the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development aims to tap into the agricultural potential of the North, promoting economic growth and empowering millions, particularly women and youths in the North.
“This initiative is expected to transform rural communities and contribute to food Security.
The recent decline in grain prices across the country is a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s agricultural policies “he explained.
‘’President Tinubu’s administration has prioritised infrastructure projects that are vital for economic growth in the North, including road construction and improvement of transportation networks.
‘’ Also of importance is the Local Government Autonomy: The local government autonomy signed into law by President Tinubu empowers local administrations to function effectively, ensuring accountability and better governance at the grassroots level.’’
Matawalle urged critics like Lawal to evaluate President Tinubu’s scorecard objectively rather than dismissing his efforts.
“It is essential for us in the North to assess the tangible benefits of the President’s reforms. The cries of dissent should not overshadow the progress being made,” he stated.
He affirmed that the legacy of President Tinubu’s reforms is one of hope and progress for all Nigerians—young and old, male and female, in every corner of the country.
“We must unite in our support for Mr. President as he continues to work towards a prosperous and secure Nigeria,” he added.
Matawalle also reaffirmed the North’s region’s commitment to the Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, a northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has dismissed the claims in some quarters by critics that the northern part of the country was divided against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a press statement by Chief Convener of ATT, Muhammad Yakubu, the group said, “If northern people are divided against President Tinubu, they are doing so at their own peril because their own son was in power for eight years without any meaningful impact in the region.
“So how wise is it to displace the leader that is walking the talk and giving them hope for a better tomorrow. We want to agree with the Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that the forum is non-partisan and does not involve itself in promoting or antagonizing any candidate for the presidential race.