“There is no wisdom or understanding about the response of the state minister of defense, Matawalle, to the Northern Elders (NEF) after complaining about the situation of the North.Had he said the kind of contributions that ministers from the North like him, and other positions like me are giving, and the benefits of the contribution, it would have been more useful to this government. That’s why going to a cattle is useless.” – Hakeem Baba Ahmed worte in Hausa on Facebbok (14/04/24)
While the eleven-month old President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is still trying to find its footing, having met myriad of challenges that is slowing it down, the least it expects is a needless distraction from its own top officials.
Last week’s double outburst by the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Mutawalle, over a statement by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the observation made by its former spokesman and now Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the President in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, generated harsh reaction from Notherners across board, who felt his general swipe against Northern appointees in the Tinubu administration was unwarranted, insensitive and only aimed at covering his shortcomings in the discharge of his office.
As a card-carrying member of the APC, I am saddened by the Minister’s comments that now caused more harm than the criticism made by the NEF in which it urged the Tinubu government to do more in protecting citizens against bandits and other criminal groups.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), like similar social groups in other parts of the country, is a pressure group that assumes the status of a watchdog and a big brother that protects the interest and well being of Northerners.
Instead of responding to the group’s concern by explaining the extent efforts the administration has put in place so far in addressing the situation of insecurity in the region, just as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, managed to do during his recent visit to Sokoto, the Mutawalle decided to lock horns, to which he not only lost, but created an strong adversary for the administration.
I also see nothing wrong in the advise given to the junior Minister of Defence, by Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed on how he should have have handled the NEF. How many more Nigerians will Mutawalle take on, for seeking government’s protection and security?
At this stage where things are difficult for everyone as a result of the impact of the necessary economic reforms taken by the government, Ministers and other top administration officials should be cautious in the way they react to complaints and even criticms from citizens or from any quaters.
The confrontational manner in which Mutawalle took on the NEF, was certainly a recipe for disaster for the administration. We do not want to put our party in a situation where we create hordes of enemies because of our utterances and abuse of power, and then by 2026, we begin to run from pillar to post trying to court these same people to seek for reconciliation, promising them milk and honey in 2027, by which time it would be too late.
Miniter Mutawalle should be reminded that the people matter. They should be listened to, whether as individuals or group. We need their votes to return our party in 2027. No need for high handedness because incumbency does not work always. Former President Goodluck Jonathan is an example of how not to rely on it.
As the wisemen say, a stitch in time saves nine.
- Iyawa is a former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico
