Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has strongly condemned what he described as desperate attempts by opposition elements to engage foreign lobbyists and undermine the progress of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Matawalle accused certain opposition figures of resorting to external interference and negative international campaigns instead of engaging constructively with the Nigerian people on domestic issues.
“These actions reveal a lack of patriotism and a willingness to sacrifice national interest for personal political gains,” the Minister stated. He warned that foreign lobbying aimed at tarnishing Nigeria’s image and the President’s reputation will not derail the government’s reform agenda or its commitment to security, economic stability, and national development.
The Minister emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration has recorded significant achievements in infrastructure, security operations, and economic reforms despite global challenges. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against propaganda and misinformation campaigns orchestrated from abroad.
Matawalle called on the opposition to focus on issue-based politics and contribute positively to nation-building rather than seeking to destabilize the country through external alliances.
“The Nigerian people elected President Tinubu to lead, and his government remains focused on delivering tangible results. No amount of foreign lobbying or smear campaigns will distract us from this mandate,” he added.
This statement comes amid reports of opposition-linked lobbying activities in the United States, which the Minister described as unpatriotic and counterproductive to Nigeria’s international standing.