Banditry allegation: How Matawalle survived cabinet reshuffle
Details have emerged on the reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack five ministers and leave the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, in his cabinet, despite allegations of banditry sponsorship levelled against him.
The ministers who were removed from office include Mrs Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN (Education), Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), and Abdullahi Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development).
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision to dismiss the ministers was influenced by public perception and empirical data on their performance.
Onanuga explained that the reshuffle came as a response to the critical views held by Nigerians regarding the ministers’ effectiveness in office.
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Why ministers were sacked
However, sources within the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress hinted that the decision was also based on the “lack of political value” of the affected ministers in their respective states.
According to an APC chieftain at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, a key consideration was whether the removal of any of the ministers would incite political unrest in their states.
“They evaluated if their sack would lead to a crisis for the president in their regions, and the feedback was that it would not,” he said.
The source further noted that while some ministers were sacked due to underperformance, others were dismissed based on concerns over their conduct and limited political relevance.
Bio-Ibrahim as placeholder
Saturday PUNCH was reliably informed by top officials at the Ministry of Youth Development that the sacked minister, Bio-Ibrahim, had been a ‘placeholder’ for Ayodele Olawande, a former Minister of State for the ministry.
According to the officials, Olawande, who has been appointed as the substantive minister, was the favourite candidate of Seyi Tinubu, the son of the president.
The officials said the sacked minister was not empowered politically, adding that the system was rigged against her.
One of the sources working in the Education and Youth Development department told our correspondent that Bio-Ibrahim was a victim of political manipulations.
The official said, “The woman is a just victim of political manipulations. She didn’t enjoy being a minister because the system was not in her favour.
“The former Minister of State, Ayodele Ayowande, had been the choice of the presidency from day one. President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, wanted Ayowande to be the substantive minister from the start, but he didn’t have his way. They had since been working to take the woman out.
“One example is that in August this year, the woman wanted to hold a programme in Ondo State to dissuade the youth from joining the #EndBadGovernance protest, but she was frustrated out of it. The people who didn’t want the President to know she was active mobilised against her and she couldn’t hold the programme again. We knew she’d be relieved of her duties eventually because she didn’t have support from the political class.”
Ohanenye’s drama
Sacked Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye, was relieved of her position because of her ‘constant drama’ which the presidency considered embarrassing, according to impeccable sources who spoke to Saturday PUNCH.
The sources said Ohanenye also stepped on many toes in her ‘aggressive moves’ to restructure the ministry.
According to the sources, the first turnoff recorded against Ohanenye was her threat to sue the United Nations for allegedly mismanaging funds meant for Nigeria.
Ohanenye had in October 2023 accused the UN of obtaining funds on behalf of the country without remitting them.
The former APC female presidential aspirant also disrupted two events in Abuja because the organisers did not seek the permission of her ministry to do so.
“The woman is a controversial person. She stepped on toes with her conduct and the President couldn’t curtail her excesses any longer. She is too dramatic as a minister. We knew she couldn’t go far”, said a source at the APC secretariat.
Azoka-Anite’s ‘external’ office
The former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Azoka-Anite, was accused of disconnecting herself from the agencies and departments under her ministry.
Officials of the ministry, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said she moved out of the ministry and established a new office in Abuja, making it difficult for staff to carry out their duties.
Azoka-Anite was moved to the Ministry of Finance as a state minister.
A top official of the ministry said, “The ministry was too big for her to handle. We usually have two ministers; we didn’t know why the President appointed only her to manage the ministry.
“Unfortunately, she was overwhelmed because she wanted to operate alone, not willing to work with departments and agencies under the ministry.
“She frustrated industrialists because of her self-styled administrative system. Each time we wanted to sign a file, we would leave the ministry to go and meet her at the new personal office she created in Abuja, and most of the files we submitted would not be returned to us. She has her team running the ministry for her.
“I believe industrialists who were frustrated by her style reported her to the President, which led to her demotion.”
Ade-John and Lagos power bloc
Sources in the tourism industry told Saturday PUNCH that the Lagos power bloc might have pressured President Tinubu into dropping Ade-John as the Minister of Tourism because she was not a politician.
According to the sources, Ade-John was denied access to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on three different occasions.
The sources noted that the woman, though residing in Lagos, didn’t have any political godfather, which exposed her to threats from politicians in Lagos and some individuals who wanted to take charge of the ministry.
“She may be from Lagos by birth, but she is not a party person. That is her crime. She was relieved because of pressure from the Lagos power bloc.
“The woman performed excellently well. Nigeria has offended that lady because she gave in her best and we have the result.”
The Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism, Wale Ojo-Lanre, in an article titled, ‘Lola Ade-John: Good bye to jati jati?’, described her removal as an injustice.
“Despite her visionary plans and tireless work, the sudden termination of her appointment feels like a deep injustice – a classic case of someone being stripped of their potential just as they are reaching for the stars.
“It’s essential to recognise that while she did not achieve everything she set out to do, what she accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable. She laid the groundwork for future leaders to build upon, and her legacy will not be forgotten”, he wrote.
Mamman’s sacking
The sacked Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, might have been relieved because of the controversies surrounding his actions and policies in the education sector, Saturday PUNCH gathered.
Among the controversies in the sector is the implementation of the 18-year minimum age policy for university admissions, which led to public outcry.
A non-government organisation, Education for Accelerated Development, listed Mamman’s sins to include misinformation, leading to diplomatic conflict between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo, resulting in the suspension of degree programmes from universities in these countries, amongst other issues.
Matawalle’s escape
Sources explained that President Tinubu chose to retain certain ministers despite public dissatisfaction with their performance due to considerations around his potential second-term ambition and the political roles the ministers might play.
Some ministers reported to have equally underperformed included the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, among others.
Matawalle has been repeatedly accused of sponsoring banditry in Zamfara State, an allegation he has always denied. Onanuga also stated that the allegations against him were unproven.
An APC chieftain in Abuja disclosed that the president ultimately narrowed down the list of ministers to be sacked to avoid ‘political stress.’
“Initially, more than five ministers were considered for dismissal, but the president evaluated those who could be beneficial to him politically. The president is wise and would not create challenges for himself,” the chieftain remarked.
“Do you see the president sacking any former governors currently serving as ministers? He can’t do that because he knows they will be useful for him in 2027. Among them, only David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has truly performed,” the source added.
On why Oyetola was retained, he said, “Blood is thicker than water. He is the president’s cousin; it would be unreasonable to expect his dismissal.”
The source also pointed out the appointment of Bianka Ojukwu as a strategic political move to weaken opposition in the South-East zone since Ojukwu held a high stake in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, a party with high followership in the region.
Matawalle being shielded, Zamfara gov alleges
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State alleged that the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, was being shielded by the Federal Government from accusations linking him to banditry.
Through his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Idris, in a statement, Lawal accused Matawalle’s Federal Government connections of protecting him from scrutiny.
During an interview with Arise News, Onanuga explained that President Tinubu retained Matawalle because an investigation by the Office of the National Security Adviser deemed the allegations of banditry connections as “mere fabrication” and politically motivated.
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However, Lawal’s spokesman disputed Onanuga’s claims, insisting the accusations were not politically motivated, as public security was at stake.
“When accusations of this nature arise, especially involving serious claims of bandit associations, the honourable thing would be for the officeholder to step aside. Effective investigations cannot happen while the individual remains in office, given their potential influence,” Idris noted.
He further stated that recent arrests of notorious bandits had prompted the governor to formally report the minister.
“We have arrested bandits who, during interrogations, provided significant information. A recent arrest led His Excellency to speak out after the detained individual was reportedly sent to Abuja for investigation but then released back to the forest.
“We even asked the NSA to question Matawalle about certain individuals and the events during the last Ramadan celebration in Tsafe Local Government, where Hilux vehicles carrying security personnel reportedly distributed food to bandits,” he added.
Idris alleged that Matawalle’s connections within the Federal Government have shielded him from accountability.
“We have facts, records, and names. As far as we know, no thorough investigation has been conducted. They are simply protecting him because he’s a ‘Federal Government boy,’” he added.
Governor Lawal also criticised Matawalle’s recent visit to Sokoto State in military uniform, claiming it was a display intended to avert his removal.
He added, “He did that because the cabinet reshuffle was imminent.
“There was no sincerity in his actions. Ask him why he hasn’t returned to Zamfara. If he says the governor would prevent him, it’s a lie. Following the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Zamfara’s election, he immediately visited the state, but he hasn’t returned since the Supreme Court’s judgment.”
Attempts to reach Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle’s media aide, for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
“The woman is a controversial person. She stepped on toes with her conduct and the President couldn’t curtail her excesses any longer. She was too dramatic as a minister. We knew she couldn’t go far”, said a source at the APC secretariat.
Uzoka-Anite’s ‘external’ office
The former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, was accused of disconnecting herself from the agencies and departments under her ministry.
Officials of the ministry, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said she moved out of the ministry and established a new office in Abuja, making it difficult for staff to carry out their duties.
Uzoka-Anite was moved to the Ministry of Finance as a minister of state.
A top official of the ministry said, “The ministry was too big for her to handle. We usually have two ministers; we didn’t know why the President appointed only her to manage the ministry.
“Unfortunately, she was overwhelmed because she wanted to operate alone, and was not willing to work with departments and agencies under the ministry.
“She frustrated industrialists because of her self-styled administrative system. Each time we wanted to sign a file, we would leave the ministry to go and meet her at the new personal office she created in Abuja, and most of the files we submitted would not be returned to us. She had her team running the ministry for her.
“I believe industrialists who were frustrated by her style reported her to the President, which led to her demotion.”
Ade-John and Lagos power bloc
Sources in the tourism industry told Saturday PUNCH that the Lagos power bloc might have pressured President Tinubu into dropping Ade-John as the Minister of Tourism because she was not a politician.
According to the sources, Ade-John was denied access to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on three different occasions.
The sources noted that the woman, though residing in Lagos, didn’t have any political godfather, which exposed her to threats from politicians in Lagos and some individuals who wanted to take charge of the ministry.
“She may be from Lagos by birth, but she is not a party person. That is her crime. She was relieved because of pressure from the Lagos power bloc.
“The woman performed excellently well. Nigeria has offended that lady because she gave in her best and we have the result.”
The Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism, Wale Ojo-Lanre, in an article titled, ‘Lola Ade-John: Good bye to jati jati?’, described her removal as an injustice.
“Despite her visionary plans and tireless work, the sudden termination of her appointment feels like a deep injustice – a classic case of someone being stripped of their potential just as they are reaching for the stars.
“It’s essential to recognise that while she did not achieve everything she set out to do, what she accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable. She laid the groundwork for future leaders to build upon, and her legacy will not be forgotten,” he wrote.
Mamman’s sacking
The sacked Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, might have been relieved because of the controversies surrounding his actions and policies in the education sector, Saturday PUNCH gathered.
Among the controversies in the sector is the implementation of the 18-year minimum age policy for university admissions, which led to public outcry.
A non-government organisation, Education for Accelerated Development, listed Mamman’s sins to include misinformation, leading to diplomatic conflict between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo, resulting in the suspension of degree programmes from universities in these countries, among other issues.
Matawalle’s escape
Sources explained that President Tinubu chose to retain certain ministers despite public dissatisfaction with their performance due to considerations around his potential second-term ambition and the political roles the ministers might play.
Some ministers reported to have underperformed include the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, among others.
Matawalle has been repeatedly accused of sponsoring banditry in Zamfara State, an allegation he has always denied. Onanuga also stated that the allegations against him were unproven.
An APC chieftain in Abuja disclosed that the president ultimately narrowed down the list of ministers to be sacked to avoid ‘political stress.’
“Initially, more than five ministers were considered for dismissal, but the president evaluated those who could be beneficial to him politically. The president is wise and would not create challenges for himself,” the chieftain remarked.
“Did you see the president sacking any former governors currently serving as ministers? He can’t do that because he knows they will be useful for him in 2027. Among them, only David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has truly performed,” the source added.
On why Oyetola was retained, he said, “Blood is thicker than water. He is the president’s cousin; it would be unreasonable to expect his dismissal.”
The source also pointed out that the appointment of Bianka Ojukwu was a strategic political move to weaken opposition in the South-East zone since Ojukwu was influential in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, a party with huge followership in the region.
Matawalle being shielded, Zamfara gov alleges
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State alleged that, Matawalle, was being shielded by the Federal Government from accusations linking him to banditry.
Through his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Idris, in a statement, Lawal accused Matawalle’s Federal Government connections of protecting him from scrutiny.
During an interview with Arise News, Onanuga stated that President Tinubu retained Matawalle because an investigation by the Office of the National Security Adviser deemed the allegations of banditry connections to be “mere fabrication” and politically motivated.
However, Lawal’s spokesman disputed Onanuga’s claims, insisting that the accusations were not politically motivated, as public safety was at stake.
“When accusations of this nature arise, especially involving serious claims of bandit associations, the honourable thing would be for the officeholder to step aside. Effective investigations cannot happen while the individual remains in office, given their potential influence,” Idris noted.
He further stated that recent arrests of notorious bandits had prompted the governor to formally report the minister.
“We have arrested bandits who, during interrogations, provided significant information. A recent arrest led His Excellency to speak out after the detained individual was reportedly sent to Abuja for investigation but then released back to the forest.
“We even asked the NSA to question Matawalle about certain individuals and the events during the last Ramadan celebration in Tsafe Local Government, where Hilux vehicles carrying security personnel reportedly distributed food to bandits,” he added.
Idris alleged that Matawalle’s connections within the Federal Government had shielded him from accountability.
“We have facts, records, and names. As far as we know, no thorough investigation has been conducted. They are simply protecting him because he’s a ‘Federal Government boy,’” he added.
Governor Lawal also criticised Matawalle’s recent visit to Sokoto State in military uniform, claiming it was a display intended to avert his removal.
He added, “He did that because the cabinet reshuffle was imminent.
“There was no sincerity in his actions. Ask him why he hasn’t returned to Zamfara. If he says the governor would prevent him, it’s a lie. Following the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Zamfara’s election, he immediately visited the state, but he hasn’t returned since the Supreme Court’s judgment.”
Attempts to reach Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle’s media aide, for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered
