Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office will ultimately silence his critics and secure his re-election in 2027, while accusing opponents of the administration of spreading falsehoods and propaganda to undermine the President’s achievements. Speaking on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at a Contact and Sensitisation Retreat organised by the North-West Tinubu/Matawalle Peace and Unity Initiatives in Sokoto, the minister insisted that such attacks would not diminish the impact of Tinubu’s policies and reforms. “Those attacking President Tinubu with lies and propaganda will be disappointed. His achievements and commitment to national development will speak for themselves in 2027,” Matawalle said.
The minister said Tinubu had demonstrated strong leadership by confronting insecurity, implementing economic reforms and supporting critical sectors of the economy. According to him, the administration has strengthened the capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, leading to significant gains in the fight against insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria. “President Tinubu inherited serious security and governance challenges, but he has shown courage and determination in addressing them. His administration continues to invest in security, infrastructure, education and human capital development,” he said. Matawalle also criticised what he described as deliberate efforts by some political actors to mislead Nigerians and discredit the government. “It is unfortunate that some individuals have chosen to spread misinformation and negative narratives despite the administration’s efforts to promote unity, peace and progress,” he stated.
Matawalle’s remarks echo a consistent message from the Presidency and its allies that the administration’s record on security, infrastructure, agriculture, social investment and economic reforms would ultimately outweigh opposition criticism. In a previous statement on June 11, 2026, the minister had declared that no amount of propaganda, misinformation, or politically motivated attacks by opposition elements would distract the President from delivering on his mandate to Nigerians. According to him, some opposition groups, particularly in the North-West, had resorted to spreading false narratives and exaggerating security challenges in an attempt to undermine the achievements of the Tinubu administration. “The opposition is uncomfortable with the visible progress being recorded in the fight against insecurity and the ongoing developmental strides across the country,” the statement had read.
The minister commended members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their commitment and sacrifice in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, noting that many personnel had paid the ultimate price in service to the nation. He said the Tinubu administration had introduced a more coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to tackling insecurity, particularly in the North-West states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kebbi, leading to the neutralisation of several notorious bandit leaders and the destruction of criminal enclaves. Matawalle further stated that military operations had restored relative peace to many communities previously under threat, enabling residents to return to farming and other economic activities. He also pointed to improvements in the fight against insurgency in the North-East and efforts to reduce communal and criminal violence in parts of the North-Central region.
The minister highlighted several initiatives of the Federal Government that have directly benefited Northern Nigeria, including the expansion and rehabilitation of major road networks, increased support for agricultural value chains, interventions to enhance food security, investments in rail and energy infrastructure, as well as programmes aimed at empowering youth and women. He added that the administration’s commitment to strengthening security architecture, improving access to education, supporting local industries, and expanding economic opportunities continued to receive positive responses from citizens across the region. Matawalle expressed confidence that the achievements of the administration would continue to resonate with Nigerians ahead of the next general elections. “The people of the region understand the efforts being made to improve their security, livelihoods and overall well-being. They are witnessing the results firsthand. So, no amount of propaganda or blackmail can erase the achievements of this administration,” he said.
The retreat, which drew 58 leaders of community groups, associations and ambassadors from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna states, was convened to deepen grassroots support for Tinubu and showcase the administration’s achievements. The Lead Convener of the North-West Tinubu/Matawalle Peace and Unity Initiatives, Yusuf Abubakar, said the objective was to mobilise support by educating Nigerians on the President’s policies, reforms and development agenda. He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain public awareness of the administration’s programmes and commended Matawalle for supporting mobilisation efforts across the North-West.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Matawalle’s remarks reflect a broader strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress to frame the upcoming contest as a referendum on the administration’s performance rather than a choice between competing visions. The minister’s challenge to critics is unambiguous: the President’s record, not opposition propaganda, will determine the outcome of the 2027 election.
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