Defence Minister Bello Muhammad Matawalle says President Tinubu commands strong political support across the North-West. He rejected claims that the region is turning against the administration ahead of 2027.
Matawalle made the assertion in a statement released Thursday through his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil. His comments come as some analysts flag declining support for the president in the North-West.
Recent reports have highlighted economic hardship and security challenges across the region. The NoiPolls Government Approval Survey recently showed the administration with a 30 per cent approval rating after three years.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) cited those poll numbers as proof of widespread rejection. Party spokesman Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said the government can no longer blame inherited problems.
But Matawalle pushed back hard against that narrative. Opposition figures, he argued, are exaggerating isolated security incidents to sow fear among Nigerians.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has scored real wins against banditry. Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states have all seen measurable progress, the minister claimed.
Several major bandit leaders have been eliminated under this strategy, he noted. Criminal hideouts have been destroyed, bringing relative peace back to violence-ravaged communities.
"The opposition is uncomfortable with the visible progress being recorded in the fight against insecurity," Matawalle said. He dismissed talk of propaganda, insisting results speak for themselves.
He also credited the Armed Forces and security agencies for their commitment. Many personnel have died protecting Nigerians, he acknowledged.
Beyond the North-West, Matawalle pointed to gains against insurgency in the North-East. Efforts to curb communal and criminal violence in the North-Central region are also underway, he added.
On the economic front, the minister highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said it's delivering concrete results across infrastructure, agriculture, and social investment.
Federal interventions in Northern Nigeria include major road rehabilitation projects, he explained. Rail and energy initiatives are also rolling out, alongside agricultural value chain support.
Food security programmes and youth and women empowerment schemes are reaching beneficiaries, according to Matawalle. Citizens across the region are witnessing these programmes firsthand, he insisted.
Matawalle expressed confidence that North-Westerners will reward the administration politically. "The people understand the efforts being made to improve their security and livelihoods," he noted.
He dismissed concerns about misinformation campaigns derailing the government's message. No amount of political blackmail will undermine Tinubu's record, he vowed.
Matawalle said the President remains focused on governance and national development. Improving the welfare of all Nigerians remains the administration's priority, he concluded.
