By By Tunji Oladejo
THE removal of Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s war against terrorism. However, Nigerians are now asking why Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, remains in office despite serious allegations of links to terrorists.
The allegations against Matawalle are not new. A respected Islamic cleric publicly accused him of having ties with Bello Turji, a notorious terrorist leader. Matawalle has failed to respond or clear his name. This silence is deafening, and Nigerians are right to demand his removal.
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You cannot fight terrorism with compromised officials. General Christopher Musa, the new Minister of Defence, needs a clean slate to reform the security architecture. Matawalle’s continued presence undermines public trust and hampers efforts to combat terrorism effectively.
Countries take national security seriously. In the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Israel, security ministers must possess unquestionable integrity. Nigeria should be no different. Keeping Matawalle in such a sensitive role is both reckless and irresponsible.
President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, must cleanse the Ministry of Defence completely. Removing Badaru is a start, but leaving Matawalle behind is a half-measure. General Musa will face entrenched corruption, sabotage and tribal interference. He needs a team whose integrity is beyond reproach.
The stakes are high. If General Musa fails, Nigeria fails. It is time for the brutal truth: Matawalle must go. For transparency, security and national confidence, he must be removed. Nigeria deserves a Defence Ministry that is not crippled from within.
To restore trust in the security agencies, President Tinubu and General Musa should take decisive steps. The administration must prioritise transparency and accountability in the Ministry of Defence. A thorough investigation into allegations against Matawalle and other officials is necessary to ensure that the Ministry is free from compromise. This will help rebuild confidence and demonstrate the government’s seriousness about defeating terrorism.
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General Musa should confront the allegations by demanding clarity and taking necessary action. If the accusations are substantiated, appropriate disciplinary measures must follow to uphold the integrity of the Ministry.
Furthermore, the government should strengthen professionalism, accountability and transparency across the security sector. Engaging security experts, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the public in developing a comprehensive national security strategy will help address the root causes of terrorism.
With these actions, the government can demonstrate genuine commitment to national security and rebuild public trust.
Tunji Oladejo, JP, mnipr, writes from the University of Ibadan. He is Chairman of The Progressive Forum, Ibadan (TPFI).
📩 Email: oladejo65@gmail.com
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