‘Political paperweight’ - Matawalle blasts northern elders for attacking Tinubu's govt

Minister of state for defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has lambasted the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for attacking the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Matawalle described the group as a political paperweight and burden to northerners.

He said the forum doesn’t represent or speak for the northern region, Daily Trust reports.

The former Zamfara governor made this known in a press statement issued on Saturday, April 13. 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.

“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."

According to The Punch, the minister said the NEF has an overbearing attitude on national issues.

He noted that the NEF are in no position to undermine nor threaten to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.

“They cannot offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or, indeed, of Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.”