Minister of State for Defence Matawalle Declares Securing Tinubu’s Re-Election His Primary Political Ambition
GUSAU / ABUJA — The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has stated that his overriding political objective ahead of the 2027 general elections is to ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates across Zamfara State.
Addressing party faithful and supporters in Zamfara State on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the former Zamfara governor urged APC members to set aside internal divisions and intensify grassroots mobilization to guarantee that President Tinubu completes a full eight-year tenure. Matawalle noted that following his official duties in the defence ministry—particularly ongoing military efforts against banditry—his foremost priority remains mobilizing voters for the ruling party’s return to power.
Commending the administration’s record on infrastructure development, national cohesion, and economic reforms, Matawalle dismissed opposition criticism and rumors regarding the President’s health as political propaganda aimed at distracting voters. He maintained that ongoing empowerment initiatives across the state were structured to ensure equitable distribution among beneficiaries and strengthen party loyalty ahead of the polls.
On regional security, Matawalle assured commuters and residents of Zamfara State that the Federal Government is deploying additional security personnel to curb persistent bandit attacks along major transit corridors. He specifically identified the Talata Mafara–Gusau–Sokoto highway, as well as the Gummi–Anka–Bukkuyum and Tsafe access roads, as priority routes scheduled for heightened military surveillance and protection.
The minister’s remarks coincide with expanded mobilization drives by the Matawalle-backed “Tinubu Again Movement,” whose media directorate announced on Thursday that the support group has registered over 1.23 million members nationwide—including more than 300,000 members and 5,600 volunteers across the North-West states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna—toward a broader campaign target of 20 million votes in 2027.
