The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative (NSCI) has issued a strongly worded and expansive statement expressing unflinching confidence in the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, while calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard mounting pressures aimed at forcing the minister out of office.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Yerima Shettima, the influential Northern advocacy group described Minister Matawalle as a critical pillar within Nigeria’s evolving national security architecture, stressing that his continued presence in the Defence Ministry is indispensable at a time when the country is grappling with complex and interwoven security threats.
According to the NSCI, the present security configuration under the Tinubu administration is anchored on what it described as a “formidable and well-coordinated alliance” between Minister Matawalle, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. The group noted that this triumvirate embodies a rare blend of political will, operational competence, and strategic depth required to confront Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, ranging from insurgency and banditry to communal violence and transnational crime.
The group argued that the synergy among these key security actors has created a robust framework capable of delivering sustainable peace if allowed the necessary continuity and institutional stability. It warned that any disruption to this arrangement could undermine ongoing efforts and reverse hard-earned gains in the fight against insecurity.
NSCI further alleged that recent calls for the removal of Matawalle are not rooted in objective assessments of performance or national interest, but rather in what it described as “political desperation and orchestrated subterfuge.” The group accused a coalition of political actors of deliberately sponsoring campaigns designed to weaken President Tinubu’s administration by targeting one of its strongest Northern allies.
In particular, the statement singled out the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, accusing him of playing a central role in efforts to destabilize the President’s Northern support base. According to NSCI, these moves are part of a broader political calculation aimed at reshaping the power dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than any genuine concern for national security.
The Initiative maintained that Minister Matawalle’s popularity and political capital in the North constitute a strategic asset for the Tinubu administration. It warned that attempts to force him out of office are designed to fracture the broad coalition supporting the President’s vision for national unity, security, and development.
NSCI emphasized that Matawalle has consistently demonstrated commitment to inter-agency cooperation, grassroots engagement, and community-based security interventions, approaches it said have contributed to tangible improvements in security outcomes in several flashpoints. The group cautioned that removing the minister at this critical juncture would not only stall ongoing initiatives but also send a discouraging signal to communities and stakeholders who have invested trust in the current administration.
“The stability of this administration is inextricably linked to the strength and cohesion of its alliances,” the statement said, adding that Matawalle’s removal would amount to sacrificing strategic continuity on the altar of political appeasement.
Reaffirming its full backing of the Defence Minister and the wider security leadership, NSCI declared its confidence in their collective ability to navigate Nigeria’s security complexities and deliver a safer nation. The group urged President Tinubu to remain resolute, resist divisive pressures, and prioritize national interest over political scheming.
The statement concluded by calling on all stakeholders to rally behind the President and his security team, insisting that the retention of Bello Matawalle is not merely a personnel decision but a strategic necessity for Nigeria’s stability and future prosperity.
NSCI pledged its continued collaboration with the federal government in the pursuit of peace, security, and national cohesion, stressing that the voices and interests of Northern stakeholders must remain integral to Nigeria’s governance and security discourse.