BBNaija Star Saskay Blasts Defence Minister Over Political Celebration Amid Soldier Deaths
Former Big Brother Naija reality TV personality Tsakute Ladi Jonah, widely known as Saskay, has launched a scathing public criticism against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle. The controversy erupted after Matawalle celebrated the defection of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on social media, while failing to address the recent tragic deaths of three senior military officers in Borno State.
Details of the Terrorist Attacks and Fallen Officers
In the past week, Borno State witnessed separate terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, resulting in the loss of three commanding officers. The officers killed include Major U.I. Mairiga from the Mayenti base, Lt-Col Umar Faruq attached to Kukawa and the 101 Brigade, and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu based in Konduga. These incidents occurred during military clearance operations and assaults on bases, sparking widespread mourning across Nigeria as citizens paid tribute to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
Saskay's Fiery Social Media Response
Expressing her outrage on her X account, Saskay directly called out Minister Matawalle for what she perceived as a failure in his official duties. She highlighted the minister's silence on the soldiers' deaths contrasted with his enthusiastic post about political developments. In her post, Saskay wrote, "No! The death of Nigerian soldiers and military commanders fighting terrorists and your lack of dignity with as little as a statement, marks a historic moment. When the revolution starts, we will remember how little you all cared about citizens!" Her comments quickly went viral, igniting a heated debate among netizens and drawing attention to the perceived prioritization of politics over national security concerns.
Mixed Reactions from the Nigerian Public
The online community responded with a mix of support and skepticism to Saskay's criticism. Some users praised her for speaking out, such as @GarbaIssaIdris who commented, "I love this new path you're traversing Saskay." Others, however, dismissed the outcry, with @LucasTripp96391 stating, "Revolution is not starting, and nothing is going to happen. Too much noise here on social media already." Additional reactions included calls for strengthened military alliances and doubts about the feasibility of societal change, reflecting broader public frustration and division over government responses to security challenges.
Background on the Minister's Actions and Broader Context
Minister Bello Matawalle's celebratory post about Governor Lawal's defection to the APC was made on Monday, March 9, shortly after the news of the officer deaths emerged. This timing fueled accusations of insensitivity and neglect of his defence portfolio responsibilities. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Nigeria's security landscape, where terrorist activities in the northeast continue to claim lives, while political manoeuvring often dominates public discourse. Saskay's intervention adds to a growing chorus of voices from celebrities and civilians alike demanding greater accountability and empathy from government officials in addressing national crises.
