The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has lambasted the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), labelling them a “political burden” and “preposterous for a group of people” seeking political relevance to overburden the system.
Recently, the NEF expressed regret for endorsing President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election.
The forum said, that for the 2027 presidential election, their priority will go to someone who is viewed as “more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country.”
However, Matawalle condemned the NEF’s threats against Tinubu, calling their actions “reprehensible and naive.”
“It is preposterous for a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians,” Matawalle said in a statement.
Matawalle argued that the NEF is a group of individuals, with personal and selfish gain, seeking to create political disunity and undermine the government rather than working towards the betterment of the North.
“The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains,” he added.
“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things, despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.
“In as much as many have overlooked them in respect of their utterances, it is pertinent to underscore their overbearing attitude on issues that affect political unity and cohesion.”
He said the group can not offer any positive ideas or thoughts about the future of northern Nigeria or Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.
The minister added that anyone mistakenly seeing the president as a failure or a weakling is making a mistake and should rethink.
“Such a person or group is either blind or misguided and unable to see the new Nigeria that is emerging. Therefore, the NEF’s statement allegedly expressing regret for voting for President Tinubu is unfortunate. NEF is not more than a group that has refused to accept reality and is living in delusion.” he added
“The truth is that the North is proud of its support and vote for President Tinubu and will continue to be proud of her relationship with the President given the enormous change and development his government has brought to the region.”
Matawalle, however, urged the NEF to prioritise unity and cooperation within the North to support Tinubu’s presidency and work towards a strong and prosperous future for Nigeria.
