The Nigerian Presidency explains Bello Matawalle's retention as Minister of State for Defence amid banditry allegations. President Tinubu's confidence in Matawalle's innocence is reinforced by investigations from the National Security Adviser, which found no evidence against him, despite ongoing security challenges in Zamfara State.
The Nigerian Presidency has clarified why Bello Matawalle remains the Minister of State for Defence despite facing serious allegations of banditry sponsorship in Zamfara State. Following a recent cabinet reshuffle that saw other ministers removed, President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle highlights the administration's belief in his innocence.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated that thorough investigations conducted by the National Security Adviser (NSA) revealed no evidence supporting the accusations against Matawalle. He emphasized that President Tinubu had heard numerous stories regarding the minister, but the ongoing scrutiny showed that the allegations lacked substance. "We have investigated, and they are not true," Onanuga asserted during an interview on Arise TV.
Matawalle has been embroiled in a public dispute with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, with both sides accusing each other of connections to terrorism and banditry. In a bid to clear his name, Matawalle has challenged Lawal to take an oath on the Quran to affirm his innocence regarding criminal activities in the state.
The clarification from the Presidency comes at a time when security challenges, particularly banditry, continue to plague Zamfara. The government's focus remains on mitigating these issues while maintaining confidence in its appointed officials. Despite the serious allegations, Matawalle's position reflects the administration's determination to uphold the principles of due process and thorough investigation.
