The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) has raised the alarm that over the weekend certain amount of money gathered to be around two billion Naira have been allegedly released to some sponsored groups by the Zamfara State Government to persistently address press conferences with the view to malign President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and particularly the former Governor of the state and defence Minister for state Bello Muhammed Matawalle.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the forum, known for its advocacy of peace and national unity, Comrade Danjuma Paul.
Mr Paul raised the alarm over what he claimed to be a series of orchestrated campaigns of calumny aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Defence Minister, Mallam Matawalle, and also faulting President Tinubu for appointing him into his cabinet.
According to the forum, these campaigns, allegedly sponsored by the Zamfara State Government, are designed to create division and undermine the integrity of the Defence Minister's efforts to combat insecurity in the country.
The sponsored groups, it was reliably gathered, are to call on the EFCC to reopen the investigation against the defense Minister when he was the governor of the State.
NSCF emphasized that the sponsored attacks against Matawalle, which have been ongoing for months, are not grounded in any verifiable evidence but rather appear to be politically motivated attempts to discredit his character and his record in public service.
It would be recalled that Matawalle previously served as the Governor of Zamfara State and is well-regarded for his commitment to addressing the challenges of banditry and insurgency in the region.
His transition into the role of Defence Minister has been seen by many as a strategic move to leverage his experience in tackling security challenges in northern Nigeria.
The group also pointed out that the attacks against Matawalle seem to coincide with heightened political tensions within Zamfara State. Some factions are reportedly using these smear campaigns as a tool to weaken Matawalle's influence, both in the state and at the federal level.
The timing, they argue, is no coincidence, as political actors seek to control the narrative ahead of the 2027 polls.
NSCF condemned the dissemination of falsehoods and half-truths, emphasizing that these campaigns of calumny have serious implications for national security.
“The kind of rhetoric being used is not just damaging to the individual being attacked but also to the larger goal of uniting the country in the fight against insecurity,” the group said in its press statement.
“At a time when Nigeria is grappling with unprecedented security challenges, fostering division and spreading lies will only deepen the crisis.”
Further condemning these actions, the group warned that any attempts to weaken the government’s efforts in combatting insecurity would have dire consequences for the people of Zamfara and other northern states suffering from the activities of criminal gangs.
“We cannot afford to allow personal or political interests to sabotage the collective efforts to bring peace to our nation,” the group stated.
The Chairman of the forum also called on relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, to thoroughly investigate the origins of the calumny campaigns, stressing that “It is critical that those behind these defamatory activities be held accountable, spreading lies and misinformation is a form of political violence, and it must be treated as such.”
The forum’s concerns are particularly relevant given the delicate security situation in Zamfara State. The state has been at the epicenter of the battle against armed bandits, with the Governor and the federal government often at odds over strategies to tackle the crisis.
However, despite these challenges, Matawalle’s appointment as Defence Minister has been seen as a promising development by many who believe his experience could help formulate more effective responses to the security threats facing northern Nigeria.
In an earlier public statement, Matawalle dismissed the attacks as baseless and politically motivated.
“I have always prioritized the safety and well-being of Nigerians, and I will continue to do so in my new role,” he said, maintaining that his focus remains on securing the nation’s borders and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
While the Defence Minister has sought to rise above the mudslinging, the forum's statement reveals a growing concern about the long-term impact of these politically driven campaigns.
The forum warns that if allowed to continue unchecked, such campaigns could not only damage individual reputations but could also erode trust in the institutions that are supposed to uphold justice and order in society.
“The only way to effectively address the security challenges facing us is through collective action, and that can only happen when we stand united,” the forum stressed.
NSCF's warning against the sponsored campaigns of calumny underscores a critical moment for Nigeria’s political and security climate. With the Defence Minister’s credibility at stake, the coming months will likely determine whether these attacks succeed in their aim or whether the truth will prevail.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the forum, known for its advocacy of peace and national unity, Comrade Danjuma Paul.
Mr Paul raised the alarm over what he claimed to be a series of orchestrated campaigns of calumny aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Defence Minister, Mallam Matawalle, and also faulting President Tinubu for appointing him into his cabinet.
According to the forum, these campaigns, allegedly sponsored by the Zamfara State Government, are designed to create division and undermine the integrity of the Defence Minister's efforts to combat insecurity in the country.
The sponsored groups, it was reliably gathered, are to call on the EFCC to reopen the investigation against the defense Minister when he was the governor of the State.
NSCF emphasized that the sponsored attacks against Matawalle, which have been ongoing for months, are not grounded in any verifiable evidence but rather appear to be politically motivated attempts to discredit his character and his record in public service.
It would be recalled that Matawalle previously served as the Governor of Zamfara State and is well-regarded for his commitment to addressing the challenges of banditry and insurgency in the region.
His transition into the role of Defence Minister has been seen by many as a strategic move to leverage his experience in tackling security challenges in northern Nigeria.
However, his appointment has also faced opposition from certain political elites within Zamfara State who see him as a threat to their interests.
The group also pointed out that the attacks against Matawalle seem to coincide with heightened political tensions within Zamfara State. Some factions are reportedly using these smear campaigns as a tool to weaken Matawalle's influence, both in the state and at the federal level.
The timing, they argue, is no coincidence, as political actors seek to control the narrative ahead of the 2027 polls.
NSCF condemned the dissemination of falsehoods and half-truths, emphasizing that these campaigns of calumny have serious implications for national security.
“The kind of rhetoric being used is not just damaging to the individual being attacked but also to the larger goal of uniting the country in the fight against insecurity,” the group said in its press statement.
“At a time when Nigeria is grappling with unprecedented security challenges, fostering division and spreading lies will only deepen the crisis.”
Further condemning these actions, the group warned that any attempts to weaken the government’s efforts in combatting insecurity would have dire consequences for the people of Zamfara and other northern states suffering from the activities of criminal gangs.
“We cannot afford to allow personal or political interests to sabotage the collective efforts to bring peace to our nation,” the group stated.
The Chairman of the forum also called on relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, to thoroughly investigate the origins of the calumny campaigns, stressing that “It is critical that those behind these defamatory activities be held accountable, spreading lies and misinformation is a form of political violence, and it must be treated as such.”
The forum’s concerns are particularly relevant given the delicate security situation in Zamfara State. The state has been at the epicenter of the battle against armed bandits, with the Governor and the federal government often at odds over strategies to tackle the crisis.
However, despite these challenges, Matawalle’s appointment as Defence Minister has been seen as a promising development by many who believe his experience could help formulate more effective responses to the security threats facing northern Nigeria.
In an earlier public statement, Matawalle dismissed the attacks as baseless and politically motivated.
He reiterated his commitment to working with all stakeholders, including state governments, security agencies, and local communities, to address the security concerns of the country.
“I have always prioritized the safety and well-being of Nigerians, and I will continue to do so in my new role,” he said, maintaining that his focus remains on securing the nation’s borders and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
While the Defence Minister has sought to rise above the mudslinging, the forum's statement reveals a growing concern about the long-term impact of these politically driven campaigns.
The forum warns that if allowed to continue unchecked, such campaigns could not only damage individual reputations but could also erode trust in the institutions that are supposed to uphold justice and order in society.
As the political landscape in Zamfara and across the nation continues to evolve, the forum has called for greater unity and collaboration among all stakeholders, urging political leaders to put the national interest above partisan considerations.
“The only way to effectively address the security challenges facing us is through collective action, and that can only happen when we stand united,” the forum stressed.
NSCF's warning against the sponsored campaigns of calumny underscores a critical moment for Nigeria’s political and security climate. With the Defence Minister’s credibility at stake, the coming months will likely determine whether these attacks succeed in their aim or whether the truth will prevail.
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