The Nigerian Presidency has retained Bello Matawalle as the Minister of State for Defence, despite facing serious allegations of sponsoring banditry in Zamfara State.
These allegations have been a point of contention, particularly given the ongoing security challenges in the region.
However, the Presidency has dismissed these claims as unfounded.
The decision to keep Matawalle in his ministerial position was made by President Bola Tinubu, who has expressed confidence in Matawalle's innocence.
This confidence is based on thorough investigations conducted by the National Security Adviser (NSA), which reportedly found no evidence supporting the allegations against Matawalle.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated during an interview on Arise TV, "I sent something to the NSA asking if he had heard about these claims, and he said no. We have investigated, and they are not true."
The situation is further complicated by a public feud between Matawalle and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, with both officials accusing each other of involvement in terrorism and banditry.
This political tension underscores the complex dynamics at play within the state and highlights the broader challenges Nigeria faces in addressing internal security threats.
President Tinubu's decision to retain Matawalle suggests a strategic choice to maintain stability within his cabinet while addressing the security issues in Zamfara.
The administration's stance reflects a belief that removing Matawalle without concrete evidence could exacerbate tensions and undermine efforts to combat banditry in the region.
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