The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly defended Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, dismissing claims that he sponsored bandit groups terrorizing the state. The party thanked President Bola Tinubu for dismissing calls to sack Matawalle, describing the allegations as baseless.
This development comes after a protest in Abuja, where hundreds of women and youths from Zamfara gathered at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters. The demonstrators, arriving in around 12 buses, blamed the state’s worsening security on Matawalle, accusing him of collaborating with bandits during his term as governor. Security personnel barred the protesters from entering the DSS premises.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Zamfara APC Youth Coordinator Ubaidullah Kaura expressed disappointment with the state’s current governor, Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kaura criticized Lawal for failing to maintain the security measures implemented by Matawalle’s administration.
“Lawal should not let political differences get in the way of continuing effective governance,” he said.
Kaura called for the adoption of a dual approach to addressing insecurity, as Matawalle had done.
“Under Matawalle’s administration, security was tackled effectively with a balanced approach that combined both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. We call upon Governor Lawal to revisit the handover notes left by the minister and do all that is necessary to tackle insecurity in the state,” he urged.
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Kaura also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for retaining Matawalle in his cabinet.
“We want to use this opportunity to extend our gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for trusting Matawalle and allowing him to continue serving as the Minister of State for Defence in his cabinet,” he stated.
Kaura dismissed the protesters’ claims as politically motivated.
“Those people going from the EFCC to DSS alleging that Matawalle is involved with bandits and demanding his sacking are sponsored groups. We thank God the presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, has denied this. Even the NSA to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, has also cleared the air after his investigation,” he said.