The recently sponsored allegation against the Honorable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle by a notorious bandit leader and murderer, who is also a wanted gang leader, Bello Turji Kachalla, has raised eyebrows and calls for concern.
The personality being accused and the nature of allegation being leveled against him makes the situation particularly worrisome even though it appears that some politicians are exploiting this situation to execute their own agenda, using a wanted criminal to discredit a government official who is assiduously committed to ensuring the safety of every Nigerian.
As it is well known, the politics of falsehood aims to confuse the people, especially a coordinated criminal strategy aimed at discrediting a committed government official. I am concerned because this sought of political maneuver is dangerous to national security and has far-reaching implications, including undermining the political stability of the nation.
I wish to point out that political instability and national security which are being grossly undermined by the perpetrators of the falsehood, can lead to economic instability which will in turn become a challenge for all citizens.
It is for this reason that I call on all politicians irrespective of political party, race or religions affiliation, and well meaning Nigerians to take heed and stay determined and committed to the belief that Nigeria will overcome the current security and economic challenges.
At this moment in the history of our country, politicians must know to desist from recruiting any bandit to destroy the architecture of national security through lies, in order to orchestrate a breakdown of law and order. I repeat that citizens must take heed, and rise up to prevent the planned anomaly.
Giving voice to a wanted bandit leader is a crime and should be understood as such. Such an action is not in the best interest of the country as it inadvertently legitimizes criminal actions and undermines the efforts of government to combat terrorism and banditry.
The anomaly could politicise security by using security issues to settle political scores, thereby putting lives of innocent Nigerians at risk and creating an environment of mistrust.
On the overall, it could empower criminals and make the nation unsafe even for the very people who sponsored the evil.
Politicians must know that the cost of using bandits to settle political scores will be too much to bear in the end as bandits who become powerful will have no regard for anyone. Therefore, any move that emboldens criminals to make false accusations against government officials, creating chaos and instability is not the way to go.
I am entitled to my opinion, which is that accusing Matawalle of supporting terrorism and banditry is bizarre. This is in view of his tireless efforts to combat the same evil. His detractors are cruel irony, showcasing the desperation of the politicians who are seeking to tarnish his glorious reputation.
I wish to commend Minister Matawalle for exhibiting maturity and statesmanship in responding to the false allegation: Like a patriot of peace that he is, he has warned his opponents to desist from linking him to Turji’s activities, blaming elements within the Zamfara State government for skewing the narrative against him. He advised his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid any confrontational action, adding that Zamfara State and every spot in Nigeria needs peace.
The video released by Turji, claiming Matawalle supported bandits, lacks empirical evidence and is an induced broadcast to tarnish Matawalle’s image. Imagine a wanted murder and bandit having the effrontery to release a broadcast against a serving minister and up till now he has not been arrested, even after he disclosed that his location in Shinkafi, Zamfara State. This should be a source of worry to the Zamfara State government.
It is with all sense of responsibility that I join Nigerians to call on security chiefs to investigate the accusations and bring the truth to light. We also call for immediate lawful action against people who are using wanted criminals to further their political agenda.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should, with a sense of urgency upscale Matawalle’s security, and guarantee that he is protected from being harmed by faceless politicians who are using a wanted bandit leader and murderer to attack his reputation.
Ikechi Iheanacho, a public commentator/analyst, wrote in from Abuja.
