…As APC chieftain dismisses calls for minister’s sack
From Noah Ebije (Kaduna) and Okwe Obi (Abuja)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman, North West, Hon. Garba Muhammad Datti has waded into the rift between the Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal and the immediate past governor of the state and current Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, over accusations and counter-accusations regarding the state of affairs of Zamfara.
A press statement signed by Datti noted that it was disgusting for the incumbent governor to be dragging the name of the serving Minister in the mud over the roles he played as the then governor of Zamfara State.
This is even as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has flayed calls for the sack of Matawalle.
Lawal also expressed dismay over allegations made on Matawalle by the PDP government in Zamfara that he has tie with bandits, saying it was just to score cheap political points by governor Lawal.
The APC National Vice Chairman said any right thinking person should have known even in his wildest imagination that like any other ministerial nominee, Matawalle went through rigorous security scrutiny before being screened and confirmed by the Senate to be appointed as a minister.
The statement read in part: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) North West zone wishes to express its dismay and over the conduct of the PDP Government in Zamfara State on matters relating to the immediate past governor of the Ssate and current Minister of State Defence Hon. Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
“APC North West is aware that since 29th May 2023 when Matawalle left office as the Executive Governor, the new administration of Dauda Lawal made it its primary role to drag Matawalle’s name in the mud at all cost instead of facing the security challenges in the state.
“The APC North West viewed the protest staged by some hoodlums parading as civil society groups believed to have been sponsored by the Ssate at the National Assembly to demand the removal of Matawalle from the Federal Executive Council was not only mendacious, but a futile exercise. APC therefore, condemns in totality such show of shame by the so-called civil society groups.
“The President knows Matawalle’s political value and pedigree, which earned him the North West Campaign Coordinator for 2023 Presidential Elections.
His immense contribution resulted in the region posting the highest number of votes that gave our party the edge we needed to clinch the presidency with relative ease.
Datti further noted that Matawalle was the Chairman, House Committee on Security, Public Safety and Intelligence between 2011- 2015, stressing President Tinibu knows the Minister’s worth and capacity, and hence nominated him for ministerial position.
In his reaction to the call for Matawalle’s sack, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Director, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, in a statement yesterday, described the protest as a “politically motivated, unpatriotic and mischievous”, and issued a 14-day ultimatum to the leaders of the protest to tender an apology to the Minister or face the full wrath of the law for defamation of character.
He said: “The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle is a man of integrity, an astute administrator, renowned civil servant, eminent Commissioner in Zamfara State, distinguished legislator, outstanding governor and passionate Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who successfully scaled all security screenings and documentations, and had no petition by individuals or groups against his nomination at the National Assembly before his screening and confirmation as minister.
“He is a man of impeccable character, high moral standard and an embodiment of patriotism who served 12 years as a member of the House of Representatives and was Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence for four years.
“The frivolous allegation that Matawalle hoarded utility vehicles is subjudice as the matter is before the Federal High Court, Sokoto.
“It is mischievous to politicize a matter before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
He claimed that Governor Dauda Lawal did not constitute any Administrative Panel of Inquiry let alone invited Matawalle to give account of his stewardship as governor of Zamfara State.