THE minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, has accused former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, of inciting violence and unrest in Nigeria following his recent comments on hardship in the country.

The ICIR reports that the former minister, in a recent interview lampooned Nigerian youths for sitting back instead of hitting the streets to protest the rising cost of living and hardship in the country.

Reacting to this, Matawalle in a statement signed by the ministry’s director of information, Henshaw Ogubike, issued a stern warning to the former minister, urging him to desist from making inflammatory remarks that threaten the peace and stability of the nation.

Matawalle further expressed deep concern over the dangers posed by such rhetoric, adding that the president is working tirelessly  to address the challenges.

“It is both reckless and irresponsible for a former public servant of Amaechi’s standing to incite Nigerians against their own government.

“This is coming at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the nation through various reforms that are yielding results,” he said.

Also, he cautioned Amaechi to desist from causing violence and casting aspersions on government genuine intentions for the people.

“We will not allow anyone to fuel violence or manipulate the prevailing situation of our people. Let this serve as a final warning to Amaechi and his cohorts.
“It is expected that Amaechi joins hand with the Government to move the country forward ,rather he chose to stay aside with myopic assertions, he added.

Similarly, the special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga,  condemned Amaechi for the statement, calling him a “leechy dependant on state resources”.

“For almost all of his adult life, Amaechi, has been a leechy dependant on state resources, a voracious beneficiary of official patronage, and a leading participant in the generational devastation of our country’s economy.

“Attempting to hoodwink Nigerians into his web of false empathy and incitement to violence is hypocritical, provocative and dangerous,” he stated.

Onanuga added that Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, amongst others are sad for not being a part of the government.

“The only real anger that Amaechi and his fellow tribesmen of naysayers of the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, must feel is that they are not in the saddle of government today, he added.

The former minister, Amaechi, in a recent interview berated Nigerian youths for sitting back instead of hitting the streets to protest the rising cost of living and hardship in the country.

The ICIR reports that many Nigerians trooped to the streets in the first and second weeks of August to protest against the lingering hunger crisis experienced since the assumption of President Bola Tinubu into office in May 2023.