IntercontinentalNewsReservoir: NSNCM Backs Matawalle, Hails Tinubu’s Appointment of Gen. Musa as Defence Minister

By Sani Idris Andulrahman

The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement (NSNCM), a coalition of 598 registered associations across the 19 Northern states and Northern community groups in the 17 Southern states, has declared strong support for the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain him in office for the sake of national security stability.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference on Friday in Kaduna, the National President of the Movement, Dr. Awwal Aliyu, said the NSNCM represents one of the largest voices of Northern citizens committed to peace, unity, empowerment and development.

He commended President Tinubu for appointing General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence, describing him as a detribalized, patriotic and highly competent military leader whose track record gives Nigerians renewed confidence.

Aliyu also expressed appreciation to the former Minister of Defence, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, who resigned on health grounds, noting that his service and dedication remain commendable.

He said the briefing was convened to emphasize the “collective and unequivocal support” of Northern associations for Dr. Matawalle and to outline why his continued role is vital to consolidating progress in the fight against insecurity.

According to him, the Minister of State has demonstrated commitment through strategic communication, responsiveness and community engagement, qualities he also exhibited as Governor of Zamfara State.

Aliyu outlined Matawalle’s major security achievements while serving as Zamfara governor from 2019 to 2023, a period he said coincided with one of the worst security crises in the North-West.

According to him, Matawalle introduced the State Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, vigilantes and security agencies to build trust, gather intelligence and reintegrate repentant offenders.

The initiative, he said, led to the reopening of major roads, resumption of farming, release of abductees and reduction in attacks across several areas.

He added that Matawalle established the Community Protection Guards (CPG), a local defence model later replicated in Katsina State.

The former governor also coordinated multiple rescue operations involving abducted schoolchildren and rural communities, combining dialogue with enforcement in a strategy that restructured local security institutions and improved coordination among the military, police, DSS and vigilante networks.

As Minister of State for Defence, Aliyu said Matawalle has brought his crisis-management experience to the federal level. He cited the recent rescue of 26 kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State as one of his significant contributions, noting that the Minister played a key role in coordinating intelligence networks, engaging affected stakeholders and supporting relevant security agencies.

At the institutional level, Aliyu explained that the Minister has been instrumental in strengthening defence infrastructure, advocating for improved funding and modernization of military assets, supporting multi-agency intelligence fusion centres, and promoting public-private partnerships for local production of military equipment.

He said these reforms show a philosophy built on courage, innovation and adaptive strategies.

Reacting to calls by certain political actors for Matawalle’s removal, the NSNCM described such demands as “misplaced, politically motivated and rooted in resentment rather than genuine concern for national security.”

Aliyu said the individuals behind the calls are uncomfortable with Matawalle’s unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu and his role in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stressed that President Tinubu must not yield to “mischief makers” seeking to distract the government or weaken a minister contributing actively to security reforms.

He clarified that the Ministry of Defence does not directly command troops or engage in field operations, as operational responsibilities lie with the Army, Navy and Air Force under their service chiefs.

The ministers, he said, are constitutionally mandated to provide policy guidance, institutional oversight and strategic advisory support.

Aliyu cited Sections 217, 218 and 219 of the Nigerian Constitution, which place operational command of the Armed Forces solely under the President and empower the National Assembly to legislate on military administration.

He stressed there is no constitutional requirement that a Defence Minister must be a retired military officer, arguing that competence, integrity and administrative ability are the lawful criteria—qualities Matawalle has consistently demonstrated.

The coalition argued that continuity in security leadership is crucial at a time when Nigeria is battling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and rural violence.

Aliyu said the synergy between General Musa as Minister of Defence and Matawalle as Minister of State represents a balanced “carrot and stick” approach that blends military precision with civilian engagement, a model essential for addressing the complex roots of insecurity.

He said Matawalle’s deep networks with community leaders, clerics, traditional rulers and youth groups have strengthened civil-military relations and improved intelligence flow from affected communities. According to him, these contributions cannot be underestimated and must not be disrupted.

The NSNCM, therefore, called on President Tinubu to retain Dr. Matawalle in office to ensure stability, continuity and consolidation of the gains recorded so far.

"Nigeria needs steady leadership in the defence sector and cannot afford politically induced reshuffles",he said.

He reaffirmed the Movement’s commitment to supporting national security efforts, pledging that its 598 affiliate associations will continue to promote peace, unity and cooperation with security agencies across the country.

He urged the President to disregard politically motivated calls targeting the Minister and maintain the current defence leadership structure for the good of the nation.(NAN)