1 hour ago
1
A security analyst and lawyer, Marvin Ibe has urged President Bola Tinubu to sack his minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, following the recent widely reported recommendations made by a seasoned congresswoman, Representative Kimberly Daniels.
He made this known in a press conference on Friday in Abuja.
Ibe insisted that Representative Kimberly Daniels meant well for Nigeria and her citizens; hence, the government should implement the reports.
“I’ve stressed that it is a matter of urgency that the confidence of world leaders must be built around the military, as every element of suspicion should be immediately discouraged”, he said.
According to him, the lives of Nigerian soldiers matter just as those of ordinary citizens.
“We have observed with keen interest the accusations and counter-accusations of the Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle over his relationship with bandits during his days as the executive governor of Zamfara State.
“To an extent, videos of his former aides testified to his close relationship with bandits, including negotiation for ransom payment and other gifts showered on terrorists, which makes him a sympathizer.
“The sad reality is the position of Representative Kimberly Daniels, who asserts that the greatest form of terrorism is the homegrown familiar enemies. When the people you trust to protect you work undercover with those who want to harm you, it must be devastating.
“To this end, we totally align ourselves with the position of Kimberly Daniels and call for the immediate sacking or redeployment of Bello Matawalle from the Ministry of Defense. It is widely believed that the people no longer have confidence in him because of his past relationship with bandits and lack of prerequisite experience to manage the Nigerian Ministry of Defense.
“We understand that America does not just speak; once it speaks, it acts. Their booths are already on the ground, and sharing this intelligence with us has helped to reshape the security apparatus of the Tinubu administration.
“It is more saddening when individuals believed to be hired issue statements linking President Tinubu as the sole prerogative for national security even when he has appointed Matawalle and others to manage the security unit, evidence that he has no experience in defense.
“We view it as a disservice for any Nigerian to go against this report, as it is a unique intelligence that could reshape the entire war against terrorism and end the genocide in Nigeria. For instance, the U.S. congresswoman means well for Nigeria, and the position she has taken is commendable.
“We, as members of the National Coalition Against Terrorism, heartily endorse the entire report of Kimberly Daniels and call on President Tinubu to act fast before it’s too late. Mr President must wake up to this call and do the needful before the country is overrun by the enemies within.
“It is believed that security information is leaked before execution, so, to rebuild the confidence of Nigerians and the world, redeployment of Bello Matawalle to another ministry should be the least consideration by Mr President.
“We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to track more terrorism financiers and prosecute them in order to discourage further such evil acts,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Daniels recently called for Matawalle’s removal amid heightened insecurity in Nigeria.
Insecurity: Listen to US lawmaker, sack Matawalle now—Ibe tells Tinubu
