- Defence Minister Matawalle criticizes Northern Elders Forum, dismissing it as politically irrelevant and divisive, lacking representation for the region
- Matawalle condemns NEF’s threats against President Tinubu, accusing the group of selfish motives and disrupting political harmony in Nigeria
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has launched a scathing attack on the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for its criticism of the present administration, dismissing the group as a political liability to northerners and asserting that it does not represent the region.
In response to remarks made by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the forum’s spokesperson, expressing regret over the north’s support for President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle labelled the group naive.
“My attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is ‘reprehensible and naive’. It is incredible for a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create disunity among Nigerians.
“The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to shame for the group’s personal and selfish gains.
“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.
“In as much as many have overlooked them in respect of their utterances, it is pertinent to underscore their overbearing attitude on issues that affect political unity and cohesion. They cannot offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.”
Matawalle underscored the importance of unity and cohesion in addressing the nation’s challenges, criticizing the NEF’s divisive actions and rhetoric.