The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has alleged that Governor Dauda Lawal is using public resources to mobilise individuals and groups from different walks of life in an attempt to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into removing the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, from office.
In a statement issued by the Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party accused Governor Lawal of deploying marabouts, religious leaders, workers, and hired individuals whom he allegedly assembled and stationed in various locations across Northern Nigeria and parts of the South.
According to the statement, the groups are being mobilised to campaign against Matawalle by exploiting the sensitive issue of insecurity and banditry, which they attempt to link directly or indirectly to the minister.
The APC further claimed that, one of the recruits recently confessed of receiving 500 million naira from the governor to carry out what the party described as a wanton assignment.
Similarly, the APC alleged that, the Zamfara State Government under Governor Lawal has deployed several other tactics, including the controversial release of Musa Kamarawa, a notorious bandit arrested for gun-running and other banditry-related crimes during Matawalle’s tenure as governor.
The party claimed that the release was a desperate move to use Kamarawa to damage the image of the minister, a suspicion it said was reinforced by statements attributed to a bandit kingpin who alleged that he once worked with Matawalle.
The APC questioned how such claims could be credible, noting that, the same individual had previously been incarcerated under Matawalle’s administration.
The party further demanded answers on who stood as surety for Kamarawa’s release, insisting that, both the state government and the judiciary owe Nigerians a clear explanation.
The statement emphasised that, appointments to sensitive federal positions undergo rigorous screening by relevant security agencies, both overt and covert.
According to the APC, Matawalle passed such screenings at multiple stages of his political career, from the state to the federal level.
The party recalled that similar attempts were allegedly made last year when individuals from the South-East who, according to the APC, had never visited Zamfara State were sponsored to protest at the National Assembly and demand Matawalle’s removal.
It also alleged that, some women were given 20 million naira to stage a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, efforts the party said ultimately failed.
According to the APC, the alleged desperation of Governor Lawal and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stems from fears of Matawalle’s possible return as governor in 2027.
The party claimed that defections of key PDP figures and supporters reflect growing dissatisfaction with the current administration, which it accused of poor governance, insecurity, unfulfilled promises, and high-handedness. It further alleged that members of the governor’s inner circle are acquiring hotels and estates across the country.
The APC maintained that while it has consistently provided evidence to support its claims against the Lawal administration, sponsored protests against Matawalle are allegedly driven by misinformation and personal gain, often ending in disputes over shared funds.
The party described Matawalle’s performance, both as a politician and as Minister of State for Defence, as “remarkable,” stating that he has discharged his duties to the full satisfaction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, much to the frustration of his detractors.
It added that the truth continues to emerge, with some officials within the Lawal-led administration reportedly admitting to staging attacks and allegations against Matawalle.
The APC recalled that banditry had already taken firm root in Zamfara State before Matawalle became governor. It noted that his administration initiated a peace accord involving security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders, which led to the surrender of large caches of weapons and a significant reduction in violence for over nine months.
According to the party, the peace initiative resulted in the reopening of weekly markets, the restoration of safe travel on previously dangerous roads, and the release of numerous kidnapped victims—including the current governor’s brother, Yusuf Lawal, who was freed shortly after Matawalle’s inauguration.
The statement listed several rescue milestones achieved in 2019, including the release of dozens of abductees from Dansadau, Maradun, Kaura-Namoda, Shinkafi, and neighbouring Sokoto State, as well as the rescue of foreign nationals, including a Korean citizen, Dr Jongson Eal.
The APC further noted that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji had on two occasions publicly denied claims that Matawalle sponsored him during his tenure as governor and again during his time as Minister of State for Defence claims the party said were deliberately ignored by critics.
The party called on security agencies, the National Judicial Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, and civil society organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of Musa Kamarawa.
The APC stated that Matawalle has publicly sworn on the Holy Qur’an that he has no involvement with banditry and challenged his accusers to do the same, a challenge it claimed they refused.
REL/AMINU DALHATU
