Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has said a recent Federal High Court ruling on the leadership of the African Democratic Congress has cleared President Bola Tinubu of allegations of interference in the judiciary.
Matawalle made the statement on Friday in Kaduna while reacting to the court decision affirming the leadership of former Senate President David Mark in the ADC.
The court had dismissed a suit challenging the David Mark-led leadership of the party, ruling that the process followed the party’s constitution and relevant legal provisions.
According to Matawalle, the judgment has weakened claims by some opposition figures that President Tinubu influences politically sensitive court cases.
He said the President’s refusal to interfere in the ADC leadership matter showed respect for judicial independence, due process and democratic institutions.
The minister also said the ruling contradicted allegations that Tinubu was working to weaken opposition parties or promote a one-party political system in Nigeria.
Matawalle argued that the President had consistently allowed the courts to perform their constitutional duties without executive pressure.
He said Tinubu’s political background had long reflected support for democracy, noting that the President was involved in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic restoration before assuming office.
The minister added that an independent judiciary remained essential to national stability, political fairness and the survival of democracy.
He accused some opposition politicians of using propaganda to attack the President whenever court decisions did not favour their interests.
According to him, critics often ignore judgments that show the judiciary is acting independently and without interference from the executive arm of government.
Matawalle urged Nigerians to assess court rulings objectively and recognise what he described as the President’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
The minister also spoke on national security, saying the Federal Government remained focused on tackling terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality across the country.
He said troops under Operation Fansan Yamma had destroyed several bandits’ hideouts, neutralised criminal leaders and recovered communities previously under the control of armed groups in the North-West.
Matawalle added that similar security operations in other parts of the country had weakened terrorist groups, bandits and other criminal networks.
He said the Tinubu administration would continue to support the Armed Forces and security agencies with the equipment and resources needed to restore peace.
The minister assured Nigerians that the government remained determined to end insecurity and protect communities affected by violence.
He said governance would continue despite political criticism, adding that the administration would remain focused on security, rule of law and democratic stability.
