The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has described as unfortunate the statements credited to Daniel Bwala, a former aide to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and Bello Matawalle (State) might be shown the exit door from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a post on his X handle on Sunday, Bwala complained that Nigerians are now seeing a situation where “schoolboy errors result in ragtag bandits taking the nation’s armoured vehicles and munitions.”
Bwala said: “If this perceived lack of cooperation between the air force and army continues, where we see schoolboy errors resulting in ragtag bandits taking our armoured vehicles and munitions, then both ministers of Defence may need to be shown the door out. No sentiments.”
However, in a statement issued on behalf of the NDYC by Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, its national coordinator, on Monday, the body said the recent remarks made by Bwala, suggested the potential exit of the Honourable Ministers of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru, and the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, His Excellency Bello Matawalle, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is unsubstantiated.
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Bwala’s remarks, the group said, aim to sow discord within the ranks of the nation’s security apparatus.
In the statement which reads in part, the NDYC said: “Any perceived lack of cooperation between the Air Force and Army started in the President Buhari’s administration and is a matter of national security that is being adeptly handled by the relevant authorities, and it is not a subject for cheap political commentary,” it stressed.
The NDYC therefore urged the Honourable Ministers of Defence to remain focused on their crucial responsibilities and not be distracted by the likes of Daniel Bwala, whose baseless accusations are motivated by a desire to curry favour with those in power, in the hope of securing an appointment as a presidential spokesperson or some other prominent role within the administration.
The body also advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to be swayed by the likes of Daniel Bwala, who has repeatedly demonstrated his lack of loyalty and cannot be trusted to serve in any capacity within his administration.
“The President’s legacy should not be tainted by individuals whose primary objective is personal gain rather than the service of our great nation.
“The NDYC believes that the President’s commitment to selecting individuals of integrity and loyalty to serve in his administration will guide him to make the right decisions in the face of such distractions”, it added.
The NDYC further reiterated its support for the Ministers of Defence, while calling on all Nigerians to continue supporting the efforts of those who are genuinely committed to the peace and security of the nation.