The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has issued a strong statement condemning what it describes as a “orchestrated smear campaign” against Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, allegedly led by Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji.
In a press release signed by National Coordinator Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, the NDYC characterized the allegations against Matawalle as “a deliberate and calculated attempt to sabotage the ongoing fight against insecurity” for “selfish political gains.”
The youth organization highlighted recent military operations that reportedly neutralized over 40 terrorists, which they attribute to Matawalle’s leadership. According to the NDYC, the timing of accusations against the minister—coming shortly after successful counter-terrorism operations—suggests political motivation rather than legitimate concerns.
“It is no coincidence that these attacks on Dr. Matawalle’s credibility emerged just days after the Nigerian military, under his watch, executed a highly successful operation against terrorist strongholds,” the statement read.
The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to “see through this orchestrated charade” and urged security agencies to investigate individuals allegedly attempting to “sabotage national security efforts for political gain.”
The NDYC specifically warned Hon. Jaji and his associates to “desist from these anti-national antics” and suggested that any legitimate concerns should be presented through “appropriate legal and democratic channels.”
The organization, representing youth from Nigeria’s oil-producing region, pledged continued support for Matawalle, urging him to remain “undeterred by these distractions” in his security mandate.
No specific details about Hon. Jaji’s allegations against Matawalle were provided in the NDYC statement.