First, it must be stated clearly: national security is not a one-man affair, and the ongoing challenges across the country did not begin with Matawalle, nor are they the consequence of his tenure as Governor. Those who reduce a complex, decades-old security crisis to the actions of one individual are either uninformed or deliberately dishonest.
What critics conveniently ignore is that as Governor, Matawalle inherited one of the most volatile security situations in Nigeria, and under his leadership, several key interventions were introduced, including expansion of security formations, establishment of community-level intelligence channels, and strategic collaborations with federal authorities. While no leader can claim perfection, it is an established fact that security improved significantly in various parts of Zamfara during his tenure, especially at periods when cooperation from all stakeholders was at its peak.
Today, as Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has shown unwavering commitment, accessibility, and hands-on engagement. From frontline visits to operational briefings, from supporting the Armed Forces with logistics to advocating for better welfare for troops, his record speaks for itself. This is not the profile of a “failure,” but that of a leader earnestly confronting a national challenge that predates multiple administrations.
Attempting to weaponize national tragedy for political point-scoring is not just irresponsible, it is callous. The federal government’s response to the Kebbi abduction is coordinated, professional, and ongoing, and part of that coordination is the involvement of the Minister of State for Defence. That is his job. And he has been doing it with the seriousness it demands.
Nigeria needs unity, accuracy, and constructive engagement at a time like this, not cheap propaganda drenched in personal hatred.
Those attacking Matawalle only expose their lack of understanding of how the national security architecture works.
We remain confident that Minister Bello Matawalle is fully committed to restoring peace, strengthening the Armed Forces, and ensuring abducted citizens are safely rescued.
No amount of politically motivated noise will change that.
