The Northern Christian Youth Coalition (NCYC) has made a strong call for the immediate removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle. The group cited severe allegations that it says are undermining Nigeria's security framework.
Coalition Issues Stern Demand to President
In a statement released on 18 December 2025, the coalition directly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They urged him to demonstrate his administration's commitment to integrity and good governance by taking decisive action against the minister.
The National Coordinator of the NCYC, Jeremaid Hudso Bako, signed the statement. Bako emphasized that the call was driven by an urgent need to uphold public accountability and restore citizens' trust in government institutions.
Drawing Parallels with Recent Dismissal
The youth group pointed to a recent government action as a precedent. They described the dismissal of Farouk Ahmed, the former head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as a positive step towards transparency.
However, the NCYC stressed that the same standard must be applied uniformly. They argued that other high-ranking officials facing serious accusations should face similar scrutiny to ensure fairness and justice.
Nature of the Allegations Against Matawalle
Jeremaid Bako stated that the accusations against Minister Matawalle are particularly disturbing because they touch on core national security issues. He declared these matters paramount to the nation's overall stability and the safety of its people.
"The allegations surrounding Bello Matawalle are grave and cannot be overlooked," Bako said. "Reports indicate that he has been implicated in various activities that compromise the integrity of our defence apparatus and, by extension, the safety of our citizens."
A Test for Tinubu's Governance Promises
The coalition framed this situation as a critical test for the Tinubu administration. They highlighted the government's own stated commitments to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The NCYC concluded that these principles must be reflected in concrete actions. They insisted that officials whose conduct raises serious questions about integrity must be held accountable without delay.
