On Wednesday, a group of pro-democracy activists gathered and marched to the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding the dismissal of Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The demonstrators at the legislative complex voiced their concerns through solidarity chants and showcased banners with messages such as ‘Sack Bello Matawalle now’ and ‘Our defense budget not in safe hands,’ among others.
The activists, operating under the banner of the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity, accused the minister of allegedly having connections with bandits, which they believe are responsible for the loss of lives and destruction of property worth billions of naira in the northern part of the country.
In front of the National Assembly, the group’s leader, Danesi Momoh, spoke to the media and called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to apply pressure on the President to have Matawalle removed from his position.
“A Defence portfolio to an inefficient leader was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of this administration. But it can be corrected with the Senate giving a voice in that direction,” he said.
He added, “We call on the Senate to weigh in to ensure that he is immediately removed to restore some hope in good governance.
“Let us also assure you that we know how limited your role could be, but it is very important that in the national interest you play that role. We shall also be mounting pressure on President Bola Tinubu whose table the buck stops directly to replace him. All the Senate needs is to play its part. The Senate should help in easing him off the public office space.”
Reacting to the protest, the Director, Sergeant at Arms, National Assembly, Salihu Abdullahi, who received the petition on behalf of Akpabio, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the protesters, adding that he will convey their grievances to the appropriate quarters.
