Sani Shinkafi, a former Zamfara State governorship candidate, has called on President Bola Tinubu. He urged the President to sack Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence. Shinkafi also demanded the scrapping of the Ministry of State for Defence.

Shinkafi made these demands while reacting to an old video. The video shows Matawalle expressing sympathy for bandits.

Channels TV recorded the video in 2021. It captured Matawalle, then Zamfara State Governor. He was seen defending some troublemakers in the state.

Matawalle made the comments at the State House in Abuja. This happened after his meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

Journalists questioned Matawalle about bandit activities in Zamfara State. He responded, stating, “Not all of them are criminals.”

Shinkafi reacted to the video in a statement. He signed it on behalf of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development. Shinkafi urged President Tinubu to investigate the video’s contents.

Shinkafi highlighted the viral interview. In it, Matawalle, then Governor, said “not all bandits are criminals.” This statement, Shinkafi argued, portrays Matawalle as a bandit sympathizer. It also suggests he is incapable of combating them effectively.

Potential for Personality Clashes

Shinkafi also pointed out a potential conflict. The new Minister of Defence, General Musa, previously served under Matawalle. Musa was Chief of Defence Staff when Matawalle was Minister of State for Defence. Shinkafi believes it would be inappropriate for Matawalle to remain in office under Musa. This, he says, would help avoid personality clashes.

General Musa is a distinguished military officer. He should have a free hand to reorganize and reposition the Ministry of Defence. This is crucial for upcoming tasks. Shinkafi stressed that sentiment or partisan politics must not hinder overhauling the security architecture. This is especially important during the current security state of emergency.

Shinkafi reiterated his call for Matawalle’s immediate sack. He described Matawalle’s tenure as a “sad commentary” on the fight against terrorism. Shinkafi suggested Matawalle should resign honourably, like former Minister Mohammed Badaru. Failing that, he should be sacked. “National security supersedes political interests,” Shinkafi affirmed. He added, “The whole world is watching us.”

Call to Scrap Minister of State for Defence Office

Shinkafi also demanded the immediate scrapping of the Minister of State for Defence office. He labelled it “unnecessary” and an “aberration in military command.”

He argued that a serious national defence structure avoids splitting the command system. Nigeria’s current system, he explained, gives the senior minister no control over the maritime domain. This domain is critical for the economy and national security. Instead, it is overseen by the Minister of State for Defence.

Additionally, the Pension Board falls under the junior minister. This board handles veterans’ welfare. More significantly, the Defence Industries Corporation is also not under the senior minister. This corporation forms Nigeria’s defence ecosystem. It develops, produces, and supplies military equipment and services.

Shinkafi warned against two ministers running parallel administrations in the Ministry of Defence. This is especially critical now, with security challenges requiring sector-wide cooperation. He concluded that security experts agree the office of the Minister of State for Defence should be scrapped. “It is time to get rid of it,” he stated.