The Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State governor, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has said the Federal High Court’s judgment affirming the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vindicated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against allegations of interfering with the judiciary or attempting to establish a one-party state.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Ahmed Dan Wudil, Matawalle welcomed the court’s dismissal of a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the leadership of the ADC under former Senate President David Mark.
He said the judgment reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to judicial independence, the rule of law and constitutional democracy.
According to Matawalle, some opposition figures had sought to portray the President as manipulating democratic institutions for political advantage, but the court’s decision had exposed what he described as their “false narratives.”
He maintained that Tinubu, as a long-standing participant in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, understands the importance of preserving the independence of the judiciary and respecting the constitutional separation of powers.
The minister also criticised critics who, according to him, are quick to accuse the President whenever court decisions do not favour them but remain silent when judgments reinforce the judiciary’s independence.
He urged political actors to acknowledge positive developments instead of spreading what he described as propaganda capable of undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
Matawalle further accused some opponents of attempting to weaken the morale of the Armed Forces by spreading misinformation about the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
He cited Operation Fansan Yamma as evidence of progress in the fight against banditry, saying the military operation had dismantled several bandit enclaves, neutralised notorious gang leaders and restored security to many communities across the North-West.
The minister assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration would continue to provide the military and other security agencies with the resources and support required to defeat criminal elements, insisting that political propaganda would not derail the government’s efforts to restore peace, strengthen security and protect democratic institutions.
