"Divided Loyalty?" — Minister of State for Defence Under Fire to Resign Over Terror Links
ABUJA — The fight against terrorism in Nigeria has taken a dramatic turn as calls mount for the immediate resignation of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the FCT, Denge Josef Onoh, a former top spokesman for President Tinubu, has issued a scathing ultimatum: Matawalle must step down to save the nation’s security architecture or be forcefully relieved of his duties.
The Smoking Gun?
The controversy stems from a surfacing video that allegedly shows the Minister "unambiguously defending" individuals associated with criminal elements. Onoh argues that having a man with such a questionable stance at the helm of the Defence Ministry—during a full-scale shooting war against insurgents—is a risk Nigeria cannot afford.
"The ministry of defence... is not the appropriate place for him at this time," Onoh declared. "I respectfully call on Dr. Matawalle to do the honourable thing: tender his resignation with immediate effect to avoid any perception of divided loyalty."
A Nation in Fear
As farmers abandon their lands and travelers vanish on "high-risk" highways, the pressure on President Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet is at an all-time high. With security agencies appearing reactive rather than proactive, critics argue that "divided loyalty" at the ministerial level is the reason attackers can vanish into forests only to resurface days later.
Onoh urged President Tinubu, known for his "zero tolerance" policy, to act swiftly: "Should he be unwilling to take this step, I urge His Excellency to relieve Dr. Matawalle of his appointment without further delay."
THE BIG DEBATE:
Can a minister effectively fight terror while being accused of defending the "same criminals" the military is targeting? Is "divided loyalty" the hidden reason Nigeria’s insecurity persists?
Tell us your views in the comment section below! 🇳🇬🛡️
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