The Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has said the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark has vindicated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against allegations of interfering in the judiciary or plotting to impose a one-party system on Nigeria.
Ahmed Dan Wudil, Media Aide to the Minister shared this in a statement issued to newsmen.
According to Ahmed, reacting to the court’s dismissal of a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the ADC leadership, Matawalle said the ruling had once again demonstrated that President Tinubu remained committed to the independence of the judiciary, due process and the rule of law.
He maintained that despite sustained political attacks by opposition figures and some members of the political elite, the President had never interfered with judicial proceedings or attempted to influence the outcome of politically sensitive cases.
“President Tinubu’s democratic credentials were built long before he became President.
“So having participated in the struggle for the restoration of democracy, he fully understood the importance of preserving democratic institutions.
“The sanctity of the judiciary remained non-negotiable under the current administration because the President believed that a strong and independent judiciary was fundamental to Nigeria’s democratic survival, political stability and national cohesion,” he said.
Matawalle accused some opposition politicians of deliberately spreading falsehood and propaganda to discredit the President, alleging that they were quick to accuse him whenever court decisions did not favour their political interests but unwilling to acknowledge judgments that reflected the independence of the judiciary.
He argued that genuine patriots should be fair enough to commend the President when court decisions clearly showed that democratic institutions were functioning without executive interference.
On the security, Matawalle said the Federal Government remained undeterred, noting that troops under Operation Fansan Yamma had recorded significant successes by dismantling several bandits’ enclaves, neutralising notorious bandit leaders and recovering communities previously under the control of criminal elements across the North-West.
“Similar operations by the military and other security agencies across different parts of the country had continued to weaken terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, leading to improved security in many affected communities,” he maintained.
He, however, assured Nigerians that President Tinubu remained resolute in ending insecurity across the country and would continue to provide the Armed Forces and other security agencies with the necessary support, equipment and political backing to defeat all criminal elements.
