A former presidential spokesperson, Josef Onoh, has publicly called on the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, to consider resigning from his position.
The call follows the resurfacing of a 2021 video in which Matawalle, then serving as Governor of Zamfara State, discussed approaches to addressing banditry and violence in the North-West region. Onoh stated that the contents of the clip have sparked public debate and, in his view, raise questions about whether past statements align with the responsibilities of a senior defence official.
Onoh framed his appeal as a matter of public confidence, arguing that officials in sensitive security roles must avoid any perception of divided loyalty to maintain trust for effective policy and operations.
“He asked Dr. Matawalle to consider the option of stepping down to forestall concerns about impartiality,” the statement read. Onoh suggested that if the Minister does not resign, President Bola Tinubu should review the matter.
It is important to note that Onoh’s statement presents his personal perspective and does not allege any criminal conduct by the Minister. As of the publication of this call, there has been no official response or new action from Dr. Matawalle or the Presidency regarding the resurfaced video or Onoh’s demands.
The controversy highlights ongoing scrutiny of Nigeria’s security leadership amid the nation’s protracted fight against insurgency and banditry.
Disclaimer:
This article reports on a political statement made by a former presidential aide. The call for resignation is presented as the opinion of the individual and not an official allegation. CDA News reports this as a matter of political discourse.
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