Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has vowed to mobilise support across Northern Nigeria for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, declaring that opposition criticism and propaganda would not stop the President’s electoral victory.
Matawalle, who described Tinubu’s return to office as his major political priority, committed while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his residence in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The gathering preceded the expected arrival of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, for an official engagement in the state.
He urged APC members to put aside their differences, strengthen party unity and embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation to secure victory for Tinubu and other party candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Read also: Wike, Fubara target massive votes for Tinubu, Chinda as Rivers APC inaugurates campaign council
The minister said he remained committed to supporting the President’s administration, noting that his political ambition after fulfilling his responsibilities at the Defence Ministry was to ensure Tinubu secured a second term.
He expressed confidence in the President’s leadership, dismissing allegations surrounding his health and describing claims by political opponents as attempts to mislead Nigerians.
Matawalle also dismissed criticisms targeted at his person, saying he would not be distracted by what he characterised as deliberate attempts to undermine his reputation and destabilise the APC in Zamfara.
On the security situation in the state, the minister disclosed plans by the Federal Government to strengthen security presence along major highways frequently targeted by armed bandits.
He listed the Talata Mafara-Gusau-Sokoto highway, Gummi-Anka-Bukkuyum road and routes around Tsafe as areas where additional security personnel would be deployed to safeguard travellers.
“We will deploy security forces along the Talata Mafara-Gusau-Sokoto highway to ensure the safe movement of commuters. We will also deploy security personnel to ensure the safety of those travelling along the Gummi, Anka, Bukkuyum and Tsafe roads,” he said.
He assured residents that the Federal Government would intensify efforts to address insecurity in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
Reacting to the political tension surrounding the rerun election in Zamfara North Senatorial District, Matawalle cautioned against the use of violence in settling political disagreements.
Read also: Non-oil revenue hits N16.4 trillion, 96% of Nigeria’s GDP – Tinubu
He questioned why some political actors allegedly resorted to violence during the rerun elections in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji, arguing that electoral contests should be determined through democratic processes rather than intimidation and attacks.
“Those who caused the crisis during the rerun elections in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji know whether they can emerge victorious or not. If victory is on your side, what is the essence of creating a crisis? We will not fight or attack anybody,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Tinubu Again Movement, Dr Auwal Abdullahi, called on APC supporters to step up mobilisation efforts to ensure Tinubu’s re-election.
Abdullahi said the movement had also introduced welfare and empowerment initiatives targeting youths, women and other vulnerable groups as part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the programmes would promote fairness in the distribution of empowerment opportunities and encouraged party members to participate actively in the initiative.
Related News
Source: