Political activist and former gubernatorial candidate, Sani Shinkafi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent and decisive steps to address the escalating security challenges in parts of the country. Shinkafi specifically urged the President to dismiss the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and to scrap the Ministry of State for Defence entirely, arguing that the structure has become ineffective in responding to the nation’s security crisis.
Speaking during a media briefing, Shinkafi expressed deep concern over what he described as persistently deteriorating conditions in several regions, especially areas plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on rural communities. He said Nigerians expected stronger results from the security leadership, but the outcomes so far have not matched the scale of the government’s promises.
According to him, the Ministry of State for Defence has failed to provide the strategic leadership and operational coordination needed to support the armed forces in combating growing threats. He argued that maintaining the position only complicates the chain of command and creates overlapping responsibilities that weaken efficiency.
Shinkafi insisted that scrapping the ministry would streamline defence operations and place accountability squarely on the substantive Minister of Defence, rather than splitting responsibilities between two political appointees. He said doing so would strengthen decision-making processes and eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that he believes hamper the country’s counterterrorism and anti-banditry efforts.
Turning his attention to Matawalle, Shinkafi claimed that the Minister of State for Defence should be removed for what he described as “underperformance” in the face of rising insecurity. He argued that the country needs a more proactive figure in the position—someone capable of coordinating military responses, supporting troops on the frontlines, and ensuring that security intelligence is acted upon swiftly.
Shinkafi stressed that his call was not based on political rivalry but on the urgent need to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property. He pointed out that communities suffering repeated attacks deserve a more robust and visible response from the defence leadership.
He further urged President Tinubu to undertake a broader review of the national security architecture, recommending that individuals with strong military backgrounds and proven crisis-management skills be brought into key positions.
Shinkafi concluded by appealing to the President to act swiftly, saying Nigerians are eager to see meaningful reforms that will strengthen the security apparatus and bring relief to the communities most affected by violence.