Marching Orders: Northern Ministers Mobilized to Defend Tinubu Amid Rising Opposition

Ministers from northern Nigeria in President Bola Tinubu’s administration have stepped up efforts to defend the government as opposition voices grow louder. Several ministers and top political figures have recently spoken out against criticisms from opposition leaders, responding directly to attacks on the President’s leadership.

Sources indicate that the Presidency has instructed these political leaders to actively counter dissenting narratives. The move follows increasing pressure from prominent figures, including former governors and party elites, who have openly criticized Tinubu’s administration.

Among those leading the charge is the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who recently condemned former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for what he called “reckless and inflammatory” remarks against Tinubu. Matawalle also fired back at the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which expressed regret over supporting Tinubu in the 2023 election, calling the group a “political burden to northerners” driven by self-interest.

Tensions have also escalated between former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. El-Rufai accused Ribadu of “serious amnesia” for allegedly denying past corruption allegations against Tinubu. Ribadu, through his lawyer, demanded a public retraction and apology.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, clashed with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, over criticisms of Tinubu’s administration. Tuggar dismissed Mohammed’s comments as “mischievous” and argued that federal allocations to Bauchi had increased significantly under Tinubu’s leadership, yet there was little visible progress in the state.

A source close to one of the defence ministers confirmed that northern ministers were acting on direct instructions to defend Tinubu. “Our political leaders, ministers, and top appointees have been given the mandate to counter these elites trying to discredit the President,” the source said.

Another insider in the presidential villa suggested that the battle for northern political dominance ahead of 2027 was a driving force behind the recent tensions. The source noted that while some northern politicians, particularly from the North-West, were working against Tinubu’s re-election, others from the North-East—including Vice President Kashim Shettima—were positioning themselves for a post-Tinubu presidency.

The growing divide is evident in Kaduna, where El-Rufai’s successor, Governor Uba Sani, along with former Katsina governor Aminu Masari and Minister Matawalle, have rallied in support of Tinubu. The President has also made strategic moves, such as allocating a university to Kaduna South and appointing Masari as chairman of TETFund, to strengthen his position in the region.

In Bauchi, the Presidency is reportedly working to weaken Governor Bala Mohammed, who has fallen out with key allies, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. APC sources suggest that the ruling party is considering fielding serving ministers Ali Pate or Yusuf Tuggar for the 2027 Bauchi governorship race to challenge Mohammed.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, dismissed the opposition’s criticisms as blackmail, insisting that Tinubu had given the North significant representation in his administration. He argued that northern elites campaigning against the President did not speak for the region.

The APC North-West Publicity Secretary, Musa Mada, also defended the ministers’ vocal support for Tinubu, insisting that their responses to critics were spontaneous rather than coordinated by the Presidency. He accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, claiming the former governor turned against Tinubu after failing to secure a key position in the government.

The Presidency, however, downplayed suggestions that the ministers were acting under direct orders, stating that they were simply doing their jobs by defending the administration. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “Nobody asked them to respond. They are doing their jobs. When people make baseless accusations, someone has to set the record straight.”