Emmanuel Daudu
The Federal Government has officially cleared the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of all allegations linking him to banditry in Zamfara State, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), after a thorough investigation, found no substantial evidence to support the allegations.
In a statement on national television, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the accusations were fabricated to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation.
“As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations,” Onanuga stated, highlighting that the probe conducted by the NSA revealed the accusations to be without merit.
Political observers believe that the baseless accusations aimed to discredit Matawalle, seeking his removal from office.
However, following a recent cabinet reshuffle, President Tinubu’s confidence in Matawalle’s commitment to Nigeria’s security remains unshaken.
Since his appointment, Matawalle has played a pivotal role in enhancing security, especially in the North West region. His recent operational visit to Sokoto and the successful elimination of notorious bandit kingpin Halilu Sububu underscore his active efforts in the fight against insecurity.
Onanuga emphasized that the government remains committed to truth and transparency in public service, stressing that “people are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations.”
His remarks resonate with the administration’s goal to address public concerns while safeguarding the integrity of its officials.
In light of the exoneration, there are growing calls for those who propagated these allegations to retract their statements and issue a formal apology.
Supporters argue that Matawalle’s dedication to national security should be recognized and that falsehoods only serve to hinder Nigeria’s progress.
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