The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to a report claiming that Governor Dauda Lawal conditioned his defection to the APC on the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, described the report as misleading and accused governor Lawal of political inconsistency regarding his relationship with both the PDP and the APC.
Idris alleged that, Governor Lawal has, over time, projected conflicting positions, privately lobbying for acceptance into the APC while publicly assuring PDP members within and outside the state that he would never join the party.
“The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC has come across a news item credited to the Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal giving condition to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Minister Bello Mohammed Matawalle before he (Dauda) will join APC, though a long time ago”
“The same Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal has been playing hide and seek with his people in the ruling PDP in the state as he lobbies presidency on the one hand pleading to be accepted into the APC and tells the PDP members both within and outside the state on the other hand that nothing will make him join the APC which he has always called names”
He added that although some of the governor’s aides continue to attack the APC, others have defected to the opposition party, citing what they consider the PDP’s failure in the state and predicting an APC comeback in 2027.
According to the statement, Matawalle, Governor Lawal’s predecessor and now Minister of State for Defence remains the governor’s primary political rival, with achievements and influence the APC claims are unmatched by the current administration.
The party accused Governor Lawal of repeatedly undermining Matawalle’s contributions to national security, including efforts directed by President Tinubu to stabilize the North-West.
Idris recalled that during a presidential directive for Matawalle to relocate to the region and coordinate anti-banditry operations, the minister initially attempted to establish a base in Zamfara, alleging that , he did not receive cooperation from the state government.
It says the operational base was later moved to Sokoto, where it reportedly recorded notable successes.
The APC further highlighted Matawalle’s recent coordination of rescue operations involving abducted students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State, noting that all 24 victims were safely recovered within a week and reunited with their families.
While accusing Governor Lawal and his aides of “persistent pessimism” toward the minister’s efforts, the party noted that Matawalle has continued to receive defectors from the PDP in both Zamfara and Abuja, a developments the APC says have unsettled the ruling party in the state.
Idris added that although the APC national leadership and the presidency are aware of Governor Lawal’s earlier interest in defecting, the governor has allegedly refused to follow the party’s stipulated procedure requiring him to formally engage the state party leader, Matawalle.
He emphasized that Matawalle recently declared that the APC would be willing to receive Governor Lawal if he approaches the party through the appropriate channels.
However, the governor and his supporters reportedly responded by criticizing the minister, the APC, and the Tinubu administration.
The APC expressed surprise at reports suggesting that Governor Lawal is again considering defection and is allegedly insisting on Matawalle’s removal as a precondition while Idris insisted that the governor is not in a position to issue conditions.
The APC urged Governor Lawal to approach the party leadership with humility if he genuinely wishes to join the APC.
The statement concluded by calling on Governor Lawal to release “270 APC members allegedly detained for political reasons,” saying doing so would demonstrate sincerity if he intends to seek membership in the APC.
REL/AMINU DALHATU
