Scores of pro-democracy activists on Wednesday marched to the National Assembly in Abuja to demand the sacking of the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The protesters at the complex chanted solidarity songs and displayed banners with different inscriptions such as Sack Bello Matawalle now,’ and ‘Our defence budget not in safe hands,’ among others.
Among other things, the activists under the aegis of the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity also accused the minister of allegedly “romancing bandits.” responsible for the loss of lives and property worth billions of naira in the northern part of the country.
Addressing newsmen leader of the group, Danesi Momoh, called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to exert pressure on the President to ensure Matawalle is relieved of his job.
A Defence portfolio to an inefficient leader was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of this administration. But it can be corrected with the Senate giving a voice in that direction,” he said.
Reacting to the protest, the Director, Sergeant at Arms, National Assembly, Salihu Abdullahi, who received the petition on behalf of Akpabio, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the protesters, adding that he will convey their grievances to the appropriate quarters.
