AABUAJA: The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has strongly condemned the recent controversial remarks made by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, regarding the conduct of Nigerian politicians. At a recent conference in Abuja, Amaechi allegedly stated that Nigerian politicians must “steal, maim, and kill” in order to remain in power. Dr. Matawalle condemned these statements as both reckless and dangerous, describing them as an attempt to incite violence, radicalize the youth, and destabilize national security.
In response to Amaechi’s provocative comments, Dr. Matawalle said, “It is not only reckless but deeply dangerous for a former public officeholder to make such inflammatory and irresponsible statements. At a time when the government is making significant efforts to foster national unity and strengthen security, no responsible leader should be encouraging violence and political unrest.”
Dr. Matawalle further emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning against misleading the younger generation with distorted narratives that promote violence and anarchy. He stated, “Nigeria is a sovereign nation, governed by laws and democratic principles. We are not a lawless society where power is seized through force and bloodshed.”
The Minister also made it clear that Nigeria’s security agencies are on high alert, and anyone found attempting to incite violence or destabilize the nation will face the full force of the law. “Let me be unequivocal in my message: any person or group found guilty of promoting violence or lawlessness will be dealt with according to the law. There will be no tolerance for such behavior,” he said.
A statement issued by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, reinforced Dr. Matawalle’s stance. The statement reiterated that the government will not tolerate any subversive rhetoric that seeks to undermine national unity or promote disorder.
Dr. Matawalle took the opportunity to remind Amaechi and others that power in Nigeria is earned through democratic processes, not through intimidation or violence. He also reaffirmed President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to upholding peace, security, and democratic values. “President Tinubu is deeply committed to the unity and progress of our country. Having experienced both military and democratic governance, he will never undermine the very democracy he has spent his life defending,” he asserted.
Highlighting the administration’s accomplishments, Dr. Matawalle expressed confidence that President Tinubu will secure a decisive victory in the 2027 presidential election, owing to the progress made in such a short time. He urged Nigerians to place their trust in the president’s leadership and disregard the inflammatory remarks made by Amaechi and his associates, whom he described as “politically irrelevant and disconnected from the realities of national development.
The Minister concluded with a stern warning to individuals like Amaechi who, he argued, were attempting to manipulate the nation’s youth into chaos. “Those who believe they can use our youth to further their political agendas through violence should reconsider their actions. This government will not remain passive while anyone tries to undermine the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence, in partnership with security agencies, will continue to monitor activities that may threaten public peace and ensure that those responsible for such actions are held accountable, Dr. Matawalle concluded.