The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, recently made remarks about President Bola Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 election, which Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle has rejected.
According to Matawalle, Lawal and his colleagues would be taken aback by the tremendous backing Tinubu would receive from the North in 2027, according to a statement released by Henshaw Ogubike, the Ministry of Defense’s Director of Information and Public Relations.
“Despite just having been in office for 19 months, President Bola Tinubu has significantly improved not only the North but all of Nigeria. Matawalle said, “The people of the North will support Mr. President in building on the reforms and accomplishments he has started.
The minister stated that Tinubu had implemented significant reforms that, especially in the areas of security and defense, called for ongoing northern assistance.
Nigerian security forces detained 11,600 offenders, confiscated over 10,000 weapons, and killed over 8,000 terrorists and bandits in 2024. Due to this strong approach, security in the North has greatly improved.
The government’s dedication to guaranteeing the safety of every person is demonstrated by the successful recovery of about 8,000 kidnap victims. He added that improved strategic coordination in the battle against abduction was made possible by the creation of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) in December 2024 in partnership with the UK’s National Crime Agency.
He also contended that Lawal’s assertions of discontent with Tinubu from the north were unfounded and an effort to create division.
“The North is adamant about standing for President Tinubu. The minister continued, “Any suggestion to the contrary is a conscious effort to erode our national unity.”
According to Matawalle, the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a crucial step in enhancing food security, empowering millions of farmers, and utilizing the North’s agricultural potential.
Food security and rural community transformation are anticipated outcomes of this effort. The country’s recent grain price drop is evidence of how well the government’s agriculture policies are working, he said.
He further stated that Tinubu’s dedication to the North is demonstrated by the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure development, which includes building new roads and upgraded transit systems.
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Furthermore, he pointed out that Tinubu’s enactment of local government autonomy gives local administrations the opportunity to operate efficiently, guaranteeing accountability and improved governance at the local level.
Matawalle asked those who criticize Tinubu’s governance, such as Lawal, to consider his efforts with objectivity instead of discounting them.
It is imperative that we in the North evaluate the observable advantages of the president’s policies. The advancements being achieved shouldn’t be overshadowed by the howls of disapproval,” he said.
