Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, is facing a fresh wave of public scrutiny. This follows a recent newspaper column that revisited longstanding allegations from his time as Governor of Zamfara State.
Dosara's Strong Defence Against 'Recycled' Claims
In a swift rebuttal, Matawalle's former Commissioner for Information in Zamfara, Ibrahim Dosara, issued a statement on Sunday, December 7. He categorically dismissed the renewed accusations, labelling them as "politically motivated." Dosara argued that these claims, which have circulated since 2019, have been investigated multiple times without any official indictment or finding against the minister.
He pointed out that individuals who have made these allegations over the years, including former aides and political rivals, have notably failed to pursue formal complaints through law-enforcement agencies, anti-corruption bodies, or the courts.
Clarifying Security Strategy and Viral Video Context
A significant part of the criticism has focused on Matawalle's security approach as governor, particularly his administration's engagement in dialogue with armed groups. Dosara defended this strategy, stating that the portrayal of that period is distorted.
He clarified that the dialogues were, at the time, a nationally endorsed strategy supported by federal officials, security experts, and northern elders. Dosara emphasized that the policy was abandoned once intelligence agencies assessed it was no longer effective. He also highlighted that the administration expanded security deployments and reopened critical roads during that tenure.
Regarding a recirculated 2021 video where Matawalle discussed socio-economic drivers of banditry, Dosara said the clip is being taken out of context. "Understanding the complexities of conflict is not endorsement of crime," he stated, adding that similar analyses have been made by security officials and researchers.
Defending Civilian Oversight and Presidential Confidence
Dosara also addressed criticism of Matawalle's appointment as a civilian defence minister. He stated that this reflects a misunderstanding of global practice, noting that countries like the United States and the United Kingdom vest strategic oversight in civilian officials while military leadership retains operational command.
He linked President Bola Tinubu's decision to retain Matawalle in the defence portfolio to confidential intelligence briefings and internal assessments. Dosara cautioned that politically charged commentary could undermine operational morale and public trust amidst Nigeria's ongoing security challenges.
"Matawalle remains part of the national security architecture because of his contributions," Dosara asserted, urging that debates on defence should rely on verified information rather than recycled claims.
In a related development, a citizens' advocacy group, the Coalition for Truth and National Interest, has also called on Nigerians to disregard the renewed criticism. The group, in a statement dated Wednesday, December 3, described the revival of the old video as an attempt to create unnecessary controversy driven by partisan motives.
