By Straightnews
Nigerian Ministers are nervous over planned Cabinet rejig by President Bola Tinubu, Straightnews has learnt.
The 48 Ministers were sworn in at the State House Conference Centre on Monday, 21 August, 2023 in Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, Mr. O’Tega Ogra, revealed the rejig to State House Correspondents during a joint briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the exercise will be based on the empirical evidence from performance reports the President has received in the past months.
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Among the performing Ministers include the former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Festus Keyamo, head of the Aviation Ministry, and Dele Alake, manning the Solid Minerals Development Ministry.
Others are Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Adegboyega Oyetola (Transportation), David Umahi (Works), and Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State (Gas Resources), among others.
One of the Ministers who is nervous of a cabinet rejig is the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
Recall that the incumbent governor of Zamfara State, Lawal Dauda, had earlier called for Matawalle’s resignation as Minister of Defense due to alleged involvement in banditry.
Shortly, Matawalle challenged those accusing him of aiding banditry in Zamfara State or anywhere in the country to provide proof and present it to the public.
Minister defends allegation
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, September 24, the Minister said he was the only Governor of Zamfara State who swore by the Holy Quran that he had no connection with bandits or any interest in the criminal activities perpetrated by the marauding groups in the state.
He further stated that, during his tenure as governor, he required his aides, commissioners, and councilors to also take an oath before their appointments.
Responding to the allegations, Matawalle challenged anyone with proof of his involvement in aiding bandits to come forward and present the evidence.
The former governor, who described Zamfara as a “very complex and difficult state to govern,” also pointed out that he was not the only governor who engaged in dialogue with bandits, citing former governors of Sokoto, Niger, and Katsina who negotiated with bandits to prevent the collapse of their states.
When asked why he was accused of aiding banditry, Matawalle responded: “They should bring any proof for that.”
“Because I dialogued with bandits? I was not the only one that dialogued with the bandits.
“The Governor of Niger State, Abu Sani Bello, the Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the Governor of Katsina, Aminu Masara dialogued with them. So why only me?
“Because Zamfara is a very small and complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.
“The people of Zamfara will not like me because I’m fearless and can confront anyone. Most of those involved in this heinous act don’t like me because I go after all of them. Those destabilizing the state are politicians.
“Let me remind you, during my term, I was the only governor who swore with the Holy Quran that I have no hands or connection with banditry and that I’m not happy with what is happening.
“I swore with the Holy Quran that if I’m happy with what is happening, or if I’m part of it or know those doing it, or if I collaborate with them, that God should not give me one second of grace.
“And I challenged all the politicians then, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda (Zamfara Governor), to come and do the same, but none of them took the oath.
“I took the oath because I had a clean mind, and not just that, I ensured that all my councilors, chairmen, and commissioners took the oath before appointments that they had no hand in the criminal activities in the state. Go and check, the record is there.
“I challenge those people to take that same oath. None of them has taken that oath till today since I challenged them,” Matawalle said.
DHQ to nail banditry sponsors
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said investigations are underway into allegations of banditry sponsorship in the North-West region.
The DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at a press briefing in Abuja,
The development comes on the heels of accusations and counter-accusations between the Minister of State for Defence and immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, and his successor, Dauda Lawal, over banditry sponsorship.
When asked about the military’s role regarding the allegations involving the two influential Nigerians, the DHQ spokesman, Buba, said that relevant agencies tasked with such responsibilities were diligently investigating the matter.
“When you talk about what’s going on about the sponsors, I can assure you that the relevant agencies that are saddled with that responsibility are doing a good job. And sooner than later, you will hear some announcements in that regard,” he said.
Buba said notwithstanding, the military was focused on winning the war against banditry, and was focused on destroying their fighting will.
“Winning a war is destroying the enemy’s will to fight. When you destroy the enemy’s will to fight, the war is over, you have won the war. And that’s why we are focused on destroying the enemy’s will to fight,” he said.
