Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle has reiterated the northern region’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that those out to bring the president down politically will fail in their bid.

According to him, the president’s commitment to the region’s development and security remained unshaken.

The former Zamfara state  governor’s position came on the heel of  criticisms by some groups, prominent of which was the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) which said it regretted its support for Tinubu during the 2023 polls.

The groups and some individuals also accused the president of marginalising the northern region over issues bordering on governance.

Dismissing such claim in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja as selfish, Matawalle said these attempts were “mere power play by unpatriotic politicians with an entitlement mentality.”

He highlighted “the numerous benefits the North has derived from President Tinubu’s administration, including strategic appointments and infrastructural development”.

Some of the key appointments held by northerners, including his office, are  Minister of Defence held by former Jigawa state governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as well as similar others which he described as key.

He further said: “They include but not limited to: Muhammed Idris – Minister of Information and National orientation, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Ali Pate, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security -Abubakar Kyari and Minister of Youths – Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim.”

 “Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation – Joseph Utsve, Minister of Steel Development – Shuaibu Audu, Minister of State, Agriculture – Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of Special Duties – Zephaniah Jisalo, Minister of Education Tahir Maman SAN and Minister of State Education Yusuf Sununu.

“Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Geidam, Minister of State Police Affairs  Hon Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State Water Resources Bello Goronto, Minister of Housing and Urban Development  Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of State Housing and Urban Development  Abdullahi Gwarzo,” he added.

The minister further listed the rest as “the National Security Adviser, NSA, Director- General DSS, Director-General NIA, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Group Managing Director (GMD) NNPCL and MD Nigerian Ports Authority, just to mention a few.”

He, therefore, “called on the Northern political leaders to allow Tinubu ample time to get Nigeria’s economy back on track.

“As the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle is playing a crucial role in actualizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate on security.”

He also alluded to President Tinubu’s commitment to security, citing his efforts in the defence sector, including strategic policy development, counter-terrorism initiatives, capacity building, community engagement, regional security cooperation, humanitarian support, oversight, and coordination.

He called on northern political leaders “to unite behind President Tinubu, to enable him implement his Renewed Hope Agenda and salvage the nation’s economy and politics.”

He highlighted “Mr. President’s love and commitment to the North, by listing the many benefits of having President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pointing out that many juicy political posts are being handled by Northerners compared to other regions of the country.”

He said, “no amount of political gang up can unseat the President, and no amount of blackmail can stop him from contesting for the Presidential election come 2027.

“The alleged move by some selfish Northern Politicians masquerading as oracle for the North is just mere power play by some unpatriotic northern politician without grassroots base,” said the former governor.

On security challenges facing the region, the minister said there is hope, assuring the people of Tinubu’s commitment to tackling the menace.

He said: “Let us unite around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to salvage our battered economy and politics. This campaign of some selected Northern Politicians that are uncomfortable with the President’s style of governance are ill-advised.

“They should join hands with the President in his Renewed Hope Agenda of moving the country to a prosperous and secured nation.”