Tinubu Keeps Defence Minister Amid Banditry Allegations

Nigerian Presidency Clears Air on Minister’s Alleged Involvement in Banditry.

The Nigerian Presidency has clarified the reasoning behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to sack the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, despite allegations of his involvement in sponsoring banditry.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the claims against Matawalle are nothing more than fabrications. The President has been made aware of these allegations, but Onanuga stressed that they are completely false.

At the heart of this controversy lies a bitter dispute between Matawalle and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, with both parties trading accusations of sponsoring terrorism in the state. In an attempt to clear his name, Matawalle even went as far as challenging Governor Lawal to swear on the Quran that he was not involved in banditry activities in the state.

Despite these claims, President Tinubu has not seen fit to remove Matawalle from his post. This decision comes in the wake of a cabinet reshuffle that saw the removal of some ministers and the appointment of seven others.

Bayo Onanuga shed more light on this situation during an appearance on Arise TV. He emphasized that the National Security Adviser’s office conducted an investigation into Matawalle and found the allegations against him to be baseless.

Speaking on the matter, Onanuga noted: “These are just mere allegations, not rooted in fact. I’m aware that the National Security Adviser has looked into these claims and disproven them. It’s unfortunate that people continue to spread false information and allegations about Matawalle.”

According to Onanuga, the President’s retention of Matawalle serves as a testament to the fact that these allegations have been thoroughly investigated and found to be untrue.