Northern politicians plotting against Tinubu unpatriotic – Matawalle

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has labeled Northerners plotting against President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections as “unpatriotic” politicians.

He criticized these politicians for lacking grassroots support and having an “entitlement mentality.” He emphasized that northern politicians with strong grassroots bases are firmly supporting Tinubu.

His remarks came shortly after Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized northern politicians in Tinubu’s administration. Lukman, who recently resigned from the ruling party, claimed that northern politicians serving in Tinubu’s government have been reduced to mere sycophants and cheerleaders.

In a statement issued on Matawalle’s behalf by Ministry of Defence spokesman Henshaw Ogubike, the minister expressed confidence that the alleged plot would fail, citing the substantial benefits the region has received under Tinubu’s leadership. He called on northern political leaders to unite behind Tinubu to further his Renewed Hope agenda and enhance the country’s economy and politics.

Matawalle highlighted key appointments of northerners in Tinubu’s government, including his own role as Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence, Atiku Bagudu as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Muhammed Idris as Minister of Information and National Orientation, Ali Pate as Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Abubakar Kyari as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth, Shuaibu Audu as Minister of Steel Development, Joseph Utsve as Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, and Yusuf Tuggar as Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with several ministers of state.

He also mentioned that Northerners have benefitted in the security sector under Tinubu’s administration, with key positions such as the National Security Adviser (Nuhu Ribadu), Director-General of the Department of Security Service (Yusuf Bauchi), Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (Ahmed Rufai), Chief of Defence Staff (General Christopher Musa), Chief of Air Staff (Hasan Abubakar), Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (Mele Kyari), and Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (Bello Koko).