Marafa rebukes Matawalle’s criticism of Northern elders

Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, leading the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 Presidential Campaign in Zamfara State and a prominent figure in the APC, has pushed back against remarks made by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

Matawalle had described Northern elders as a “burden” and “paperweights” concerning the Tinubu presidency.

Marafa, in a statement from Gusau, emphasized that Matawalle’s portrayal of Northern elders was unfair.

He argued that instead of focusing on negativity, Matawalle should have highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s achievements and initiatives, especially in the North, during his first 10 months in office.

“In the last one week, I have been inundated with calls from well-meaning and prominent stakeholders in our region and party, the APC, who know my relationship with the president.

“They are worried and disturbed that the unfortunate statement by the Minister of State for Defence, if not addressed, could affect the president’s electoral fortunes in our region because it will be seen as if the minister spoke the mind of the president or the Presidency.

“The crux of the matter is that; whether you like them or not these people are called Northern Elders, so, unless they are stripped of that title by the people of the region, insulting them is tantamount to insulting the entire people of the region.”

Marafa stressed the importance of acknowledging the significant role played by Northern elders in securing victory for the Tinubu presidency, calling Matawalle’s remarks counterproductive and disrespectful to the president’s efforts in addressing national challenges like terrorism, insurgency, and economic issues.

Furthermore, Marafa emphasized the necessity for support, loyalty, and hard work from President Tinubu’s team to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at steering the country towards progress and prosperity.

Marafa called on Matawalle to retract his offensive statement and offer an unreserved apology to Northern elders and the people of the North. He highlighted concerns raised by stakeholders within the region and the APC about the potential impact of such remarks on the president’s electoral prospects.

“It’s not in our culture and upbringing to insult elders. No descent society will refer to its elders as a burden and paperweights. The North is not an exception.

“As one of the senators who worked very closely with Asiwaju as party leader (as he was then called) from the formation of APC through the primaries that led to the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as APC presidential candidate in Lagos, the politics of the National Assembly leadership in 2015 and 2019 and the processes and intrigues that characterized the 2023 Presidential Primaries, I can say without mincing words that President Tinubu holds the North, the Northerners, and their leaders in high esteem.

“Although, I’m not the mouthpiece of either the president or the Presidency, as a Northerner and an elder in the region, as an APC stakeholder and one that has worked closely with both the president and the Vice President.”

Marafa clarified that Matawalle’s views were his personal opinions and not reflective of President Tinubu or the Presidency’s stance. He affirmed his confidence in the respect and esteem that President Tinubu holds for the North, Northerners, and their leaders.

Marafa concluded by reaffirming the importance and respect accorded to Northern elders in the region and the country as a whole.

“I want to state categorically that this view expressed by Mr. Matawalle is his personal opinion and not in any way that of Mr. President or the Presidency, and should, therefore, be disregarded.”

“I know for sure that the North, Northerners, and the Northern elders are neither a burden nor a paperweight in the scheme of things in the region and the country as a whole,” Senator Marafa concluded.