The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed support for the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, describing him as a key asset of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to abandon any planned protests against him.
In a statement jointly signed by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesman, Chief Chinenyeze Ohia, the group said recent calls for protests against the minister were misplaced and risked distracting from ongoing efforts to address insecurity in the country.
The organisation said Matawalle’s role in the Federal Government’s anti-terrorism and anti-banditry campaign, particularly recent security operations in parts of Kebbi State, had contributed to improved safety in several northern communities. It added that these efforts were being carried out under the authority of President Tinubu and in collaboration with other senior security officials.
Ohanaeze alleged that opposition to the minister was politically motivated, claiming that some individuals and groups were seeking to undermine the current administration ahead of the 2027 general elections by targeting key figures involved in national security management. According to the group, Matawalle had become a focal point of criticism because of his perceived effectiveness and loyalty to the President.
The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as the growing involvement of NANS in partisan political activities, warning that such actions could divert the students’ body from its core responsibility of advancing academic welfare and education-related advocacy.
It advised the students’ body to focus on issues affecting education rather than engaging in protests that could be exploited by political actors. It urged NANS to acknowledge what it described as recent gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry, including the rescue of abducted students and other victims of insecurity.
The group further called on parents to counsel their children against participating in activities that could compromise national stability, urging students to prioritise their studies and personal development.
Commending President Tinubu for appointing Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, Ohanaeze said Igbo communities living in northern states had experienced improved security since the beginning of the current administration in 2023.
The organisation reiterated its support for the Federal Government’s security strategy and appealed for national unity and restraint as efforts to restore peace and stability across the country continue.
Credit: The Sun