The Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Matawalle, says President Bola Tinubu remains committed to addressing the region’s numerous challenges in the north and entire Nigeria before the end of his first tenure in 2027.

Mr Matawalle said this in a statement on Friday in Kaduna by his special assistant on politics, Ibrahim Gidan-Goga.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to addressing the challenges facing our region,” the minister said amid criticism of the current administration.

According to Mr Matawalle, Nigeria’s democracy under Mr Tinubu is more stable than ever. He added that the president’s critics used propaganda and falsehoods merely to seek political relevance and sympathy.

Mr Matawalle accused certain political elites of circulating misinformation due to frustration over being excluded from political appointments.

“These individuals are not to be trusted with our future. When given the mandate in the past, they squandered it, and now they blame others for their failures,” he said.

Mr Matawalle lauded Mr Tinubu’s commitment to restoring peace and improving infrastructure in the north, citing the success of Operation Fansan Yamma and other security efforts.

He emphasised that the military and police forces, supported by the president’s strategy, have recorded breakthroughs against criminal elements.

The minister said over 65 known dangerous bandits’ leaders were eliminated, and as a result, hundreds of their foot soldiers were killed and 200 camps destroyed within the shortest period.

Mr Matawalle also faulted some critics for unjustified criticism of the federal government, accusing them of political hypocrisy.

He asked, “Where were they when our people were being killed and displaced by bandits? Instead of providing succour and support or visiting affected communities, they enjoyed luxury above sympathy.

“Now, they go around shedding crocodile tears to gain cheap popularity behind people they abandoned.”

Mr Matawalle highlighted the peaceful Ramadan and Sallah celebrations across many parts of the north, attributing it to improved security under Tinubu’s leadership.

The minister pointed to the significant progress in infrastructure projects, such as the ongoing multi-billion Zaria-Gusau-Talata Mafara-Sokoto expressway construction.

He also said the federal government had re-awarded the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, among other federal government projects in the north.

The minister added that the major projects had been ignored or abandoned for years and are now being revived and implemented under Mr Tinubu.

He reassured Nigerians, especially northerners, that Mr Tinubu was committed to ensuring peace, development and a secure future for all.

(NAN)