Call For Matawalle’s Removal: Tinubu Shouldn’t Sacrifice Competence, Loyalty, Security Gains – NDYC

2

LAGOS – The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has told President Bola Tinubu not to yield to the call for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, saying that he shouldn’t sacrifice competence, loyalty and security gains.

The National Coordinator of the NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, in a press statement yesterday, said, “We find it imperative, at this critical juncture in Nigeria’s democratic and security journey, to issue a firm, unequivocal, and principled position on the sustained calls by certain desperate interests for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

“NDYC states without equivocation that it would amount to a monumental strategic blunder and a self-inflicted wound for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lose a security asset of Dr. Matawalle’s calibre, a man whose capacity, work ethic, institutional understanding of the defence architecture, and political value to the stability of the administration are no longer matters of conjecture but of empirical record.

“Since his appointment, Matawalle has distinguished himself as one of the most committed, visible, and hardworking ministers in the Tinubu administration, particularly within the highly sensitive and complex defence sector. His hands-on engagement, alignment with the President’s security vision, and coordination with the military high command have contributed meaningfully to the gains recorded in the fight against banditry, insurgency, and organized criminal networks across several theatres of operation.

“The NDYC observes with concern that those calling for Matawalle’s removal are not patriots, reformers, or well-meaning critics, but enemies of the measurable progress recorded in the defence sector and avowed opponents of President Tinubu who are determined to lure him into making a grave political and administrative mistake. These actors, operating through sponsored protests, propaganda, and shadowy organisations, seek to weaken the President by isolating and discrediting his most effective allies.

“Of particular note is the recent statement attributed to a so-called Odua People’s Assembly, a faceless and unaccountable entity whose sudden interest in national security matters raises serious questions. NDYC unequivocally condemns the reckless call by this group for the removal of Dr. Matawalle and describes it as the handiwork of paid troublemakers, political mercenaries, and ethnic profiteers who thrive on instability, misinformation, and manufactured outrage. Such groups neither represent the authentic voice of their people nor the collective interest of Nigeria.

“The Niger Delta Youth Congress makes it clear that no serious government dismantles its most productive security team members at the height of complex internal security challenges. Doing so would embolden criminal elements, demoralize security operatives, and validate the strategy of blackmail adopted by those who profit from insecurity.

“Furthermore, NDYC calls on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, to redirect his energies toward the urgent task of governance. Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by banditry, poverty, displacement, and infrastructural decay. The governor’s priority should be restoring hope, security, and development to his people, not engaging in political vendettas or personal battles with his predecessor.  Matawalle, as Minister of State for Defence, is fully occupied with national responsibilities and has demonstrated that he is neither distracted nor intimidated by politically motivated attacks.

“NDYC also expresses deep disappointment at the conduct of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which appears to be straying from its historic mandate of educational advocacy. We caution NANS against lending itself to threatened, sponsored, and paid protests orchestrated by shadowy paymasters and professional mischief-makers. Nigerian students deserve better than being weaponized for elite political contests. Their legitimate concerns remain education funding, quality of instruction, student welfare, employability, and innovation, not regime destabilization.

“The Niger Delta Youth Congress reminds all stakeholders that Dr. Bello Matawalle’s relevance extends beyond the present moment. His political capacity, grassroots influence, and acceptability across critical constituencies make him an invaluable stabilizing force as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 general elections. Any attempt to sideline him is not merely an attack on an individual, but a calculated move to weaken President Tinubu’s political base and national security framework.

“NDYC therefore condemns in the strongest possible terms all actions, statements, protests, and propaganda aimed at discrediting or forcing out Dr. Bello Matawalle. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain steadfast, discerning, and resolute, and not succumb to the blackmail of those whose sole objective is to sabotage the success of his administration.

“In conclusion, the NDYC reaffirms its full confidence in Dr. Matawalle as one of the finest, most loyal, and most industrious ministers in the Tinubu administration. Nigeria cannot afford to lose competence on the altar of political noise, nor can progress be surrendered to paid agitators masquerading as civil society.”