Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle as President Bola Tinubu’s most reliable political aly from Northern Nigeria today.





The group said this while condemning what it called a gang-up against Tinubu by some Northern elements.





It however, said Matawalle has proved to be a reliable ally to Tinubu, stressing that with some politicians already scheming ahead of 2027 general elections, Matawalle was well positioned to protect the president’s interest.





A statement signed by the National President of the group, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, urged the President not to be deceived by some political enemies who were desperately working to scuttle the relationship between him and the Minister.





Okwu said, “these desperate politicians tend to cause disaffection between the President and the Defence Minister, having realised that he would be very strategic to the president’s interest in the North ahead of the 2027 general election.





“They are the same people creating an atmosphere of disunity and insecurity in the North, all in a bid to discredit Mr President and make the security architecture look weak.





“They are determined to ensure that Mr President’s allies are displaced ahead of the election, which would in turn weaken his political base.”





The Ohanaeze group further said that all the plans of the said detractors is to ensure that, “the gains made by the current administration in the areas of security and welfare of the masses are scuttled.





“We however, urge the President not to let them have their way, but to continue reposing his confidence on the Defence Minister, who we are sure of his capacity and commitment towards the progress and success of the government.





“He will no doubt be a good rallying point ahead of the 2027 election," the Igbo youth stressed.