The Coalition for Good Governance in Zamfara has come out in strong defence of Honourable Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, dismissing a viral video aimed at tarnishing his image as “misleading” and “detached from reality”, describing it as political sabotage
In a statement on Wednesday, the Forum’s Chairman,Kabir Ibrahim bukuyum, said those calling for Matawalle’s removal are ignoring both his recent national contributions and his legacy as a crisis manager in Zamfara.
Matawalle, who currently serves under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been pivotal in reinforcing Nigeria’s military efforts against banditry and insurgency, particularly in the troubled North-West.
He has been instrumental in coordinating high-level security operations, driving synergy between military and local intelligence, and supporting the deployment of elite forces to flashpoints.
“Several criminal enclaves across Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna have been neutralised under his watch, with dozens of hostages freed in ongoing operations.
“His hands-on approach — from field visits to strategic engagements with regional security chiefs — has brought renewed urgency to counterinsurgency efforts.
“As Governor of Zamfara between 2019 and 2023, Matawalle inherited a state under siege. Yet, through peace initiatives, logistical support for security forces, and the establishment of a state-backed security outfit, he made significant strides.
“He also engaged traditional leaders to build community trust, a move widely credited with improving intelligence gathering and local cooperation.
“Beyond guns and boots, Matawalle prioritised long-term solutions. His administration invested in education, youth empowerment, and ICT development to combat the root causes of rural violence.”
bukuyum emphasised that the controversial video’s claim — suggesting Matawalle blamed the people for insecurity — misrepresents his message and leadership style.
The Forum believes the Minister’s remark that “only God can help now” should be seen as a call for collective action, not resignation.
“In any serious country,” Bukuyum
noted, “ministers are judged by performance, not doctored clips aimed at political sabotage.”
By those standards, he added, Matawalle’s record speaks volumes — both in Zamfara and across Nigeria’s security landscape.