‘Shameless and nauseating’, Fani-Kayode condemns calls for Matawalle’s dismissal

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has denounced what he describes as a coordinated opposition-driven media campaign against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, saying the attacks are unwarranted and politically motivated.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Thursday, Fani-Kayode argued that the criticism levelled against Matawalle ignores the minister’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and his commitment to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. 

According to him, Matawalle has been one of the most dedicated officials in the fight against insurgents since assuming office.

Fani-Kayode also credited the collaboration between Matawalle and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu with significantly boosting security operations, claiming that more terrorists have been neutralised in the past two years than in the previous eight combined. 

He added that his major concern is that these achievements are not being publicised.

The former minister welcomed the appointment of General Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence, expressing confidence that the combined leadership of Musa, Ribadu, Matawalle, and the new service chiefs will strengthen national security efforts.

He urged Matawalle to remain focused and continue his work despite what he described as attempts to discredit him. 

He wrote, “I find the vicious media campaign that has been orchestrated by the opposition against the Minister of State for Defence, @Bellomatawalle1, shameless and nauseating. 

“I say this given the fact that this man has shown more loyalty to @officialABAT and more commitment to the war against the terrorists than virtually anyone else since assuming office. 

“The combination of him and NSA @NuhuRibadu, has resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous 8 put together. 

“My only grouse is that for some reason they do not make this public and let the world know about it, which I think they should. 

“Now that General Christopher Musa, who was an extremely efficient Chief of Defence Staff, has been appointed Minister of Defence, I have no doubt that the combination of him, Ribadu and Matawalle, together with the other new Service Chiefs, will make an even greater difference. 

“I urge my friend and brother Matawalle to remain focused, to continue the good work and to ignore the “bad belle” distractions despite all efforts to discredit and undermine him. 

“I, together with many others, have confidence in him and wish him well. I know him to be a ruthless and courageous fighter who does not take prisoners in a fight or show the enemy any mercy. 

“It is those traits, which I share, that endear him so much to me and that has made us as close as we have been over the last 15 years. 

“I urge him to keep up the good fight, to do our nation proud, and to give the enemies and troublers of our nation hell. 

“We are with you, my brother, and more importantly, God is behind you.” 

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