Political Tensions Rise as Fani-Kayode Defends Matawalle Against Media Smear Campaign.
Political Tensions Rise as Fani-Kayode Defends Matawalle Against Media Smear Campaign.
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, has publicly condemned a recent media campaign aimed at Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Fani-Kayode described the attacks as “shameless” and “nauseating,” accusing opposition groups of orchestrating the smear campaign to undermine Matawalle’s reputation.
Fani-Kayode lauded Matawalle for his steadfast loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and his vigorous commitment to Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts since assuming office. He highlighted the fruitful partnership between Matawalle and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, noting that their collaboration has yielded notable successes. According to him, their joint efforts have resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous eight, underscoring the effectiveness of their counter-terrorism strategies.
Despite these accomplishments, Fani-Kayode criticized the government for not adequately publicizing security successes. He suggested that the administration’s reluctance to share positive security developments with the public was a strategic mistake, and called for more transparency. He urged Matawalle to remain focused and resilient, emphasizing that his bravery and determination in confronting enemies of the state have earned him respect.
In his message, Fani-Kayode advised Matawalle to ignore the “bad belle” (bad-hearted) distractions and continue his commendable work. He reiterated his support for the minister, praising his toughness and dedication, and encouraged him to stay steadfast despite ongoing attempts to discredit him. The comments reflect ongoing political tensions in Nigeria, especially surrounding security issues and opposition tactics aimed at discrediting government officials.
