Northern ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet have intensified their support for the administration as opposition voices grow louder. Some ministers and senior officials have recently become more vocal in response to mounting criticism from prominent politicians and elites.
According to reliable sources, the presidency has directed political leaders, ministers, and top appointees to actively counter dissenting narratives. The Tinubu administration has faced increased scrutiny from political groups and key figures, including former governors.
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, recently responded to criticism from former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, calling his remarks “reckless and inflammatory” at a time when the government is working to strengthen national unity and security. He also criticized the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for expressing regret over its support for Tinubu in the 2023 election, accusing the group of attempting to manipulate the political landscape for personal gain.
A public disagreement also emerged between former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, with El-Rufai alleging that Ribadu previously described Tinubu as corrupt. Ribadu, through his lawyer, demanded a public apology and retraction.
Similarly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar fired back at Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who accused Tinubu’s government of failing to deliver on promises. Tuggar dismissed the governor’s remarks as misleading and highlighted increased federal allocations to Bauchi, questioning the lack of tangible development. He accused Mohammed of employing divisive tactics that previously led to unrest during his tenure as FCT Minister.
An ally of one of the defence ministers confirmed that northern political leaders have been instructed to push back against growing opposition, particularly from the North. He pointed to the administration’s efforts to reward key allies, citing projects allocated to Kaduna South and strategic appointments such as Aminu Masari’s role as TETFund chairman.
The source also claimed the presidency is working to weaken Governor Bala Mohammed, who has lost favor with some of his former backers. He noted that the APC is considering fielding either Minister of Health Ali Pate or Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar for the 2027 Bauchi governorship race.
Meanwhile, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal dismissed critics of Tinubu as political blackmailers, stating that northern elites speaking against the President do not represent the region’s true interests. He argued that Tinubu has given the North a strong presence in his administration and emphasized that the region has no alternative but to support his re-election bid.
Despite these coordinated responses, APC North-West Publicity Secretary Musa Mada insisted that northern ministers were not acting under presidential orders. He claimed they were speaking out to clarify issues and set the record straight. He also accused Governor Bala Mohammed of mismanaging Bauchi’s resources and labeled El-Rufai a hypocrite for criticizing Tinubu after being denied a key appointment.
The presidency, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, maintained that ministers were not forced to defend Tinubu but were simply doing their jobs by countering misleading statements and speaking for the government.
