– My ambition today is to ensure Tinubu’s victory in 2027, says Matawalle
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has declared that his major ambition in life is to ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Matawalle made the declaration while addressing a large crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at his residence in Gusau, Zamfara State, ahead of the arrival of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, who is expected to visit the state on an official engagement.
He called on party supporters to unite and mobilise for Tinubu’s re-election, as well as the victory of Governor Dauda Lawal and other APC candidates in the state.
The minister commended Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity, developing infrastructure and promoting political cohesion across the country, saying he was committed to ensuring the President completed his eight-year tenure.
He said that, after fulfilling his responsibilities as Minister of State for Defence, particularly in the fight against insecurity, his next major priority would be to work for Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
Matawalle also dismissed what he described as provocations and propaganda by individuals seeking to tarnish his image, insisting that his concern was to maintain unity within the APC in Zamfara and secure electoral victories for the party at all levels.
He further dismissed allegations and propaganda concerning Tinubu’s health, maintaining that the President was fit to continue providing leadership and direction for the country.
On security, Matawalle assured residents of Zamfara that the Federal Government would deploy additional security personnel along major highways in the state to protect commuters from persistent bandit attacks.
He specifically mentioned the Talata Mafara-Gusau-Sokoto highway, as well as the Gummi-Anka-Bukkuyum and Tsafe access roads, as routes that would receive increased security attention.
“We will deploy security forces along the Talata Mafara-Gusau-Sokoto highway to ensure the safe movement of commuters. We will also deploy security personnel to ensure the safety of those travelling along the Gummi, Anka, Bukkuyum and Tsafe roads,” he said.
The minister assured the people that he would do everything within his capacity to address insecurity in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
Matawalle also spoke on the controversy surrounding the rerun election in Zamfara North Senatorial District, dismissing allegations of attempts to undermine his political standing and create divisions within the APC.
He questioned the rationale behind the violence reportedly recorded during the rerun elections in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji, saying political disagreements should not lead to attacks or destruction.
“Those who caused the crisis during the rerun elections in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji know whether they can emerge victorious or not. If victory is on your side, what is the essence of creating a crisis? We will not fight or attack anybody,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of Tinubu Again Movement, Dr Auwal Abdullahi, urged APC supporters to intensify mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Abdullahi said the organisation had also put in place welfare and empowerment programmes targeting youths, women and other groups ahead of the general elections.
He said the initiatives were designed to ensure equitable distribution of empowerment opportunities among beneficiaries and called on party supporters to participate actively in the mobilisation exercise.