The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has criticized what he describes as “unpatriotic politicians in the northern region, ” allegedly plotting against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Matawalle, formerly the governor of Zamfara State, accused these politicians of lacking grassroots support and having an “entitlement mentality.” He asserted that northern politicians with strong bases firmly support Tinubu.

His remarks follow recent criticism from Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who recently resigned from the ruling party. Lukman had rebuked northern politicians aligned with Tinubu’s administration, claiming they had been reduced to mere sycophants.

In a statement issued on behalf of Matawalle by the Ministry of Defence spokesman, Henshaw Ogubike, the minister expressed confidence that the alleged plot against Tinubu would fail. He highlighted the substantial benefits the northern region has allegedly received under Tinubu’s leadership and urged northern political leaders to unite behind Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. Matawalle emphasized that supporting Tinubu would further enhance the country’s economy and political landscape.

Matawalle also pointed out key appointments of northerners in Tinubu’s government, including Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence, Atiku Bagudu as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Muhammed Idris as Minister of Information and National Orientation, Ali Pate as Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Abubakar Kyari as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths, Shuaibu Audu as Minister of Steel Development, Joseph Utsve as Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Yusuf Tuggar as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several ministers of state.

Regarding the security sector, Matawalle mentioned Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser, Yusuf Bauchi as Director-General of the Department of Security Service (DSS), Ahmed Rufai as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, Hasan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, Mele Kyari as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and Bello Koko as Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, all of whom are northerners.