Calls for removal of Matawalle as State Defence Minister thicken as Salisu Lalan adds voice
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
He argued that the continued insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, reflects poorly on the performance of the Minister of State for Defence.
A Zamfara-based social activist, Salisu Lalan, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Bello Matawalle from his position as Minister of State for Defence, citing alleged incompetence and failure to address security challenges in the country.
Lalan made the call on Monday January 12, 2026 while speaking with journalists at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital.
Describing his appeal as urgent, the activist said the matter requires immediate attention from the president, stressing that the security of Nigerians’ lives is at stake.
He argued that the continued insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, reflects poorly on the performance of the Minister of State for Defence.
According to Lalan, Matawalle has failed to demonstrate the capacity needed for the office, noting that insecurity disproportionately affects northern states. He called for Matawalle’s immediate removal and replacement with what he described as a more capable individual who can effectively address the nation’s security challenges.
The activist further alleged that despite being an indigene of Zamfara State, Matawalle rarely visits the state in his capacity as defence minister. He claimed that when such visits occur, they are largely for political purposes rather than to assess or address security concerns.
Lalan warned that the sooner the president acts, the better it would be for the country’s stability, adding that Nigeria’s security situation should not deteriorate to the point where foreign countries become increasingly involved in its internal security affairs.
He urged President Tinubu to treat the matter as one of national importance and take decisive steps to safeguard lives and property across the country.
