The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has appealed for calm among aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State, assuring them that their grievances over the recent State House of Assembly screening exercise would be addressed with fairness and justice.
Matawalle made the appeal while addressing the affected aspirants at his residence in Gusau.
The 85 aspirants had gathered under a forum to formally express dissatisfaction after many of them were reportedly disqualified during the screening process and declared “not cleared.”
Addressing the gathering, the minister acknowledged their concerns, stressing that many of the affected aspirants possessed the qualifications and experience required to contest elective positions.
“It is my pleasure to receive you. I have listened to your grievances, and I believe most of you are qualified to contest. Among you are former commissioners, serving lawmakers, advisers, and even a former Deputy Speaker,” Matawalle said.
He disclosed that discussions had already been held with Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and former governor, Sani Yariman Bakura, to resolve the matter and maintain unity within the party.
According to him, engagements with the national leadership of the APC showed that issues surrounding the screening exercise could still be revisited, giving affected aspirants another opportunity to participate in the process.
Matawalle further revealed that efforts were underway to accommodate some aggrieved members through political appointments at both state and federal levels as part of measures aimed at easing tensions and rewarding loyalty.
The minister urged the aspirants to remain loyal to the APC and avoid actions or statements capable of destabilising the party, warning that defamatory remarks against party leaders would not be tolerated.
“We are not in a lawless society. Those making reckless statements should be mindful of the law,” he stated.
Reaffirming his commitment to party unity, Matawalle appealed to aggrieved members not to defect but to remain within the APC and work collectively toward future electoral victories.
He also called on party members to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal ahead of future elections.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants, Sulaiman Shu’aibu Shinkafi appealed to Matawalle to intervene in the controversy surrounding their disqualification from the screening exercise.
Shinkafi said the group had rejected suggestions for protests, litigation, or defection to other political parties out of respect for Matawalle’s leadership, adding that the aspirants had resolved to pursue redress through dialogue while remaining loyal to the APC.
Aminu Dalhatu
