• Hails appointment of Gen Musa as minister

A patron of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, and a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi (Wamban Shinkafi), has called for urgent scrapping of the office of Ministry of State for Defence and the sack of Bello Matawalle, the current minister, stating it will boost the effective coordination of the war against terrorism and armed banditry by the Federal Government.

Shinkafi also hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the appointment of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the Minister of Defence.

In an Open Letter to President Tinubu, Shinkafi, who is also the executive director of the ‘Patriots For The Advancement Of Peace And Social Development,’ expressed strong concern over the current threat to national security, safety, order and well-being of Nigerians.

He acknowledged the rising spate of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, militancy, secession, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities in the country, maintaining it has warranted his Open Letter to Tinubu, for urgent action.

Shinkafi in his letter titled, URGENT NEED FOR THE SCRAPPING OF THE OFFICE OF MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE AND SACK OF HIS EXCELLENCY BELLO MATAWALLE CURRENT MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE FOR EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM ARMED BANDITRY FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW MINISTER OF DEFENCE, GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA, and released in Abuja, on Tuesday, called on Tinubu to treat urgently to protect the safety of Nigerians and avoid unnecessary personality clashes.

He warned that Zamfara State has been the epicentre of armed banditry and safe haven for bandits in the past 15 years.

The State shares border with Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Niger States, as well as Niger Republic by Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Governments of Zamfara State. Kebbi State also shares border with Niger Republic and Benin Republic, while Sokoto State towns of Illela, Gada, Isa, Goronyo, Sabon Birnin, Tangaza, Kebbe and Silame share border with Niger Republic, he stressed, appealing to President Tinubu “to listen to the timely call and demand by most citizens to scrap the office of Minister of State for Defence, and sack Bello Matawalle the current Minister of State for Defence. Both the office and Matawalle have outlived their usefulness in safeguarding national security and order in Nigeria. National interest obviously supersedes partisan politics”.

According to Shinkafi, the appointment of the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence was generally applauded by Nigerians.

“It is a testament to his patriotism, professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to crush terrorism, insurgency, banditry and militancy, and safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our beloved country”, he writes.

The letter read in part, “In view of the above, I respectfully appeal to Mr President to listen to the timely call and demand by most citizens to scrap the office of Minister of State for Defence, and sack Bello Matawalle the current Minister of State for Defence. Both the office and Matawalle have outlived their usefulness in safeguarding national security and order in Nigeria. National interest obviously supersedes partisan politics. It is time for action. It is time to do the right thing in the interest of the nation. It is time to scrap the Minister of State for Defence portfolio and sack the incumbent minister holding it.

“The safety of Nigerians should be paramount. I have no doubt that Mr President will heed to the yearnings of fellow compatriots to scrap the office of Minister of State for Defence and relinquish Matawalle his position. It is in the overall national interest to do this.”