As our nation battles unrelenting waves of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings, a fresh political storm has erupted over the Nigeria’s defence leadership. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State and a long-time advocate for security sector reforms, has issued an emphatic call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and scrap the office altogether.
Shinkafi’s statement comes at a decisive moment, following the resignation of former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the appointment of retired General Christopher Musa as the new substantive Minister of Defence — a development he described as one of President Tinubu’s most commendable decisions.
Sani Shinkafi: “Gen. Musa is the right man for the job”
In a statement signed on behalf of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Shinkafi applauded the President for choosing General Musa, insisting that his military pedigree, operational experience, and reputation for discipline make him uniquely suited to lead Nigeria’s security revival.
“Gen Musa is the right man for the job at this critical stage in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, militancy, secession, and kidnapping for ransom. The need for a leader with a military background to head the Ministry of Defence cannot be overemphasized,” he said.
According to Shinkafi, Musa’s appointment signifies a renewed seriousness by the President Tinubu administration to overhaul the nation’s deteriorating security architecture.
Why Shinkafi Wants Matawalle Sacked
Central to Shinkafi’s demand is his belief that Bello Matawalle — former Governor of Zamfara State — lacks the competence, background, and credibility required to serve as Minister of State for Defence.
He described both Matawalle and the recently resigned Badaru Abubakar as “the worst appointments in the history of the Ministry of Defence” and among President Tinubu’s “biggest mistakes.”
Shinkafi’s criticism also revived a controversial 2021 interview in which Matawalle, then governor, defended certain armed groups in Zamfara. On the Channels TV interview recorded at the State House after a meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari, Matawalle famously said:
“Not all of them are criminals.”
The video resurfaced this week and triggered widespread calls across social media and civic circles for Matawalle’s removal — a wave of outrage that Shinkafi says must not be ignored.
“The video depicts him as a bandit sympathizer and incapable of combating them. The President should investigate him immediately,” he insisted.
Shinkafi further alleged that Matawalle’s academic and professional background is insufficient for such a critical national security role:
“It was a mistake to appoint Badaru Abubakar, a chartered accountant, as Minister of Defence, and Matawalle, who has only a certificate from a vocational training centre below senior secondary school level. Their lack of experience in complex security issues has grossly affected the fight against terrorism and national security.”
A Structural Problem: “Scrap the Ministry of State for Defence”
Beyond demanding Matawalle’s removal, Shinkafi urged President Tinubu to scrap the Ministry of State for Defence entirely, calling it “unnecessary, dysfunctional, and an aberration in military command.”
He argued that splitting defence authority between a senior minister and a junior minister creates overlapping lines of responsibility that weaken accountability and distort operational command.
Shinkafi, the credible Alhaji whom the Publisher of Fishe News has closely worked with highlighted several critical institutions currently placed under the Minister of State for Defence, including:
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Nigeria’s maritime security operations, a backbone of the nation’s economy
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The Military Pension Board, responsible for veterans’ welfare
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The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) — the country’s defence production ecosystem
He maintained that leaving these under the control of a junior minister undermines strategic cohesion at a time when Nigeria needs unified, decisive security leadership.
He further warned that allowing Matawalle to remain in office while General Musa — his former subordinate as Chief of Defence Staff — becomes his superior creates an unhealthy command dynamic:
“It would be inappropriate for Matawalle to remain in office under Musa to avoid personality clashes. General Musa should be given a free hand to reorganise and reposition the Ministry of Defence.”
“National security supersedes political interests”
Shinkafi emphasized that Nigeria is in a state of emergency on security, and the country cannot afford administrative confusion, partisan calculations, or divided command structures.
“His tenure is a sad commentary on the fight against terrorism. Like former Minister Mohammed Badaru, who voluntarily resigned, Matawalle should honourably resign or be sacked. National security supersedes political interests. The whole world is watching us.”
He concluded by asserting that nationwide public acceptance of General Musa and the vocal outcry for Matawalle’s dismissal reflect a clear consensus:
“Security experts are in one accord that the office of the Minister of State for Defence should be scrapped. It is time to get rid of it.”
A Nation on Edge
As insecurity continues to rage — from the North-West to the North-Central and South-East — the nation waits to see whether President Tinubu will respond decisively to Shinkafi’s demands and the growing public sentiment behind them.
Will this moment mark a turning point in our nation’s long struggle to restore security? Or will it become another missed opportunity in an already strained war against terror?
For now, the pressure is mounting — and Nigerians are watching closely.
May Nigeria succeed.