Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has issued a stern directive to Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and other Northern appointees, urging them to defend President Bola Tinubu and his government or step down from their positions.
Matawalle’s statement on Monday came in response to Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s comments on his official Facebook page regarding the Northern Elders Forum’s (NEF) recent statement expressing regret over its support for the government. Dr. Baba-Ahmed, a former NEF spokesman, disagreed with Matawalle’s characterization of the group as “political paperweight” and a “burden to the region,” describing it as “ill advised.”
The Minister emphasized that Dr. Baba-Ahmed, as an appointee of the administration, has a duty to defend the government against unjust attacks and promote its achievements. Matawalle stressed that every appointee of President Tinubu, including Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a responsibility to highlight its positive contributions across all sectors.
Asserting the need for unity among Northern appointees, Matawalle emphasized the importance of taking a firm stance in support of the government amidst ongoing challenges and criticisms. He underscored that silence in the face of misrepresentation and intimidation is unacceptable, urging appointees to either actively support the government or resign from their positions.
Matawalle concluded by urging Northern appointees to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the administration and its objectives, emphasizing the critical role they play in advancing its agenda. He emphasized that now is the time for decisive action and commitment to the success of President Tinubu’s government.
