The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged former political office holders and associates of his administration in Zamfara State to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to end banditry and restore peace across the country.
Matawalle made the call on Saturday in Kaduna during an interactive meeting with former members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, former commissioners, special advisers and other political associates who served under his administration between 2019 and 2023.
The meeting focused on security, political developments and the progress of Zamfara State, while also providing an avenue for Matawalle to mobilise his political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the gathering, Matawalle said protecting lives and property remained the primary responsibility of any serious government.
He said the President Tinubu-led administration was committed to defeating banditry and restoring peace to communities affected by insecurity.
According to the minister, Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to addressing the country’s security challenges through regular engagements and consultations with stakeholders and security authorities.
Matawalle said the security situation would not distract the Federal Government from pursuing economic development, peace and national unity.
He urged the former political office holders to communicate the administration’s efforts to their constituents and support genuine initiatives aimed at restoring security in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
Matawalle also called on members of his political structure to return to their various constituencies and sensitise residents on the Federal Government’s security efforts.
He specifically urged them to mobilise support for the Tinubu Again Movement and galvanise the people of Zamfara State ahead of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The former governor stressed that peace and security were essential for meaningful development, urging his supporters to remain united and committed to the political structure.
Earlier, leaders of the groups represented at the meeting commended Matawalle for maintaining what they described as a strong political structure since his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
They said the former governor continued to enjoy the loyalty of his political associates despite his current role as a member of the Federal Executive Council.
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The leaders pledged their support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying the success of the President would also benefit their political constituencies.
They also promised to take the administration’s achievements and programmes to the grassroots while mobilising support for the Federal Government.
The meeting came amid continued efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies to tackle banditry and other forms of insecurity in Zamfara and other North-West states.
Matawalle’s call places both security advocacy and political mobilisation at the centre of his engagement with former officials and associates of his administration.