Former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to scrap the office of the Minister of State for Defence and relieve its current occupant, Bello Matawalle, of his duties.
In an open letter to the President, Shinkafi argued that both the position and Matawalle’s continued stay in office have “outlived their usefulness” in safeguarding national security, adding that “national interest supersedes partisan politics.” He urged President Tinubu to take decisive action, stating that “it is time to do the right thing in the interest of the nation.”
Shinkafi alleged that Matawalle carries “baggage” that impedes effective administration in the Ministry of Defence, noting that various allegations some of which have circulated in the media have raised questions about his integrity and leadership capacity. He further claimed that Matawalle’s perceived controversies make him unfit to serve as Minister of State for Defence at a time when the country is confronted with severe security challenges.
He contrasted Matawalle’s record with what he described as the “overwhelming acceptance” of General Christopher Musa, the current Minister of Defence, whom he said embodies the competence and public trust required for the role. According to Shinkafi, Matawalle’s alleged lack of political capacity and disconnect from the electorate contributed to his loss in the 2023 Zamfara governorship election.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, Shinkafi emphasized that the security and welfare of citizens must remain the primary purpose of government, arguing that those occupying defence positions must possess technical knowledge, security expertise, and political intelligence to effectively address terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
Shinkafi also questioned Matawalle’s qualifications, claiming that his known educational credentials amount only to vocational training. He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment, describing the current security landscape as “far beyond Matawalle’s ability to handle.”
The former candidate referenced the recent resignation of former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, which he said was widely applauded by citizens. He argued that Matawalle should have followed suit in the interest of injecting “fresh ideas” into the defence sector.
Shinkafi insisted that dismantling the office of the Minister of State for Defence would help unify the defence structure under a single command. He expressed concern that the current arrangement—where the Minister of State oversees critical departments such as the maritime domain, Defence Pension Board, and Defence Industries Corporation creates parallel authority and weakens coordination at a time when unified action is critical.
He warned that the split command structure has contributed to inefficiencies that have worsened insecurity nationwide.
“The safety of Nigerians should be paramount,” Shinkafi wrote. “I have no doubt that Mr President will heed the yearnings of compatriots to scrap the office of Minister of State for Defence and remove Matawalle. It is in the overall national interest.”
