* Bello Matawalle
The Pathfinder
Thursday December 4, 2025
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While some Nigerians are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over an old video of him currently circulating online, Femi Fani-Kayode, an ambassadorial nominee and former Aviation Minister, has condemned the call, describing it as a “vicious media campaign” against Bello Matawalle.
In the video recorded by Channels TV in 2021, Matawalle, who was then the governor of Zamfara State, defended some trouble makers in the state who are bandits.
Matawalle made the comment at the State House, Abuja, after meeting with the then president, Muhammadu Buhari.
While answering questions from journalists on the activities of bandits in Zamfara State, Matawalle said, “Not all of them are criminals.”
“Not all of them are criminals. If you investigate what is happening and what made them take the laws into their hands, some of them were sometimes cheated by the so-called vigilante group.
“They normally go to their settlements and destroy property and take their animals. They did not have anyone to speak with, so sometimes, they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for reprisals. That is exactly what happened,” Matawalle said.
The video resurfaced online shortly after Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, tendered his resignation.
Here are some of the reactions from X, formerly Twitter, as compiled by DAILY POST correspondent.
@A6udawud: “Matawalle always approaches bandits with negotiation rather than fighting them. He negotiated for the Kebbi girls’ release.
“Tinubu should take out Matawalle, who turns the Defence Ministry into a campaign hub.”
@tkayose: “The now minister of state of defense and former Zamfara State governor Matawalle once said.
“No wonder the APC Tinubu govt keeps using bandits in place of terrorists. Why haven’t Matawalle and Gumi been arrested?”
@engr_shaibu_: “Matawalle said bandits aren’t criminals. Just misunderstood victims.
“Now he’s Minister of Defence. This empty-headed terrorist sympathizer is now the one writing our security policy. He needs to be sacked immediately!”
@RealQueenBee__: “You knew who he was and still gave him the job. I blame you, not him.”
However, reacting to the call for the sack of Matawalle, Fani-Kayode, in a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, said the attacks, allegedly orchestrated by the opposition, on Matawalle were “shameless and nauseating.”
Fani-Kayode said the minister had demonstrated exceptional loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and commitment to the fight against terrorism since assuming office.
He argued that the partnership between Matawalle and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had yielded significant gains in the counter-terrorism war.
He said, “The combination of him and NSA @NuhuRibadu has resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous eight put together.”
Fani-Kayode, however, faulted what he described as the government officials’ reluctance to publicize security successes, saying, “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.”
He urged Matawalle to remain focused and ignore attempts to discredit him, saying the minister’s courage and toughness in confronting enemies of the state had earned him respect.
“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,” he wrote.
Fani-Kayode described Matawalle as “a ruthless and courageous fighter who does not take prisoners in a fight or show the enemy any mercy,” adding that these traits had strengthened their 15-year friendship.
He encouraged the minister to “keep up the good fight” and continue delivering results for the nation.
“We are with you, my brother, and more importantly, God is behind you,” he stated.
Reacting to the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as Minister of Defence, Fani-Kayode expressed confidence in the emerging security leadership.
“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,” he said.
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