Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, denounced what he called a “vicious media campaign” against Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence.
In a message made on his official X account on Thursday, Fani-Kayode described the purported opposition-led attacks on Matawalle as “shameless and nauseating.”
Fani-Kayode stated that the minister has displayed outstanding allegiance to President Bola Tinubu and commitment to the battle against terrorism since taking office.
He argued that the partnership between Matawalle and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had yielded significant gains in the counter-terrorism war.
He said, “The combination of him and NSA @NuhuRibadu has resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous eight put together.”
Fani-Kayode, on the other hand, criticized government officials’ reluctance to publicize security successes, saying, “My only grouse is that for some reason, they do not make this public and let the world know about it, which I think they should.”
He urged Matawalle to remain focused and ignore attempts to discredit him, claiming that the minister’s courage and toughness in confronting state enemies had earned him respect.
“I urge my friend and brother, Matawalle, to remain focused, to continue the good work, and to ignore the ‘bad belle’ distractions despite all efforts to discredit and undermine him,” he wrote.
Fani-Kayode praised Matawalle as “a ruthless and courageous fighter who does not take prisoners in a fight or show the enemy any mercy,” adding that these characteristics have enhanced their 15-year bond.
He encouraged the minister to “keep up the good fight” and continue to produce results for the country.
“We are with you, my brother, and more importantly, God is behind you,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode expressed trust in the emerging security leadership after former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), was appointed Minister of Defence.
“Now that General Christopher Musa, who was an extremely efficient Chief of Defence Staff, has been appointed Minister of Defence, I have no doubt that the combination of him, Ribadu, and Matawalle, together with the other new Service Chiefs, will make an even greater difference,” he said.
