Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has alleged that his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, was deeply involved in the banditry crisis affecting the state.
Speaking on a TVC politics program on Wednesday, Lawal claimed that the previous administration, led by Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, was complicit with bandits and mishandled the state’s security challenges.
Lawal accused Matawalle’s government of misappropriating state funds and dealing leniently with banditry issues.
He stated, “Yes, there were a lot of issues in the past with my predecessor.
In fact, let me state this very categorically, if I were him (Matawalle), I would resign and face all the allegations against me, which would have been more honorable.
From all the information we are receiving, my predecessor (Matawalle) was fully involved in some of these banditry issues.”
To justify his allegations, Lawal recounted an incident involving a permanent secretary under Matawalle’s administration who had to pay ransom through the Government House to secure the release of his children abducted by bandits.
“A typical example is the permanent secretary whose children were abducted, and it was unfortunate that he had to pay ransom through the Government House.
It was also very clear, based on all the allegations, that bandits were being sheltered at the Government House,” Lawal said.
He added that if he were in Matawalle’s position, he would have resigned to clear his name of these allegations.
“For me, honestly, if I were him, I would step aside and face these allegations until my name is cleared, before returning to continue my job.
How can you imagine such allegations against him, and yet he remains the Minister of Defence? I mean, that is unfair,” he said.
Lawal also mentioned that Matawalle’s file is currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and expressed surprise that he was cleared by lawmakers and security agencies for the ministerial post.
“In May 2023, there was an allegation of misappropriating over ₦70 billion, and when we took over, we realized that ₦70 billion was a small fraction compared to the rot on the ground.
All this information was before the EFCC, and I wondered how this man was cleared by the security agencies before being confirmed as a minister,” he stated.
The governor emphasized the need for accountability, especially with the state’s financial constraints, saying, “We need this money in Zamfara with all the challenges we are facing, including financial constraints.
At the very least, let’s recover some of this money for Zamfara so that we can work for the people of the state.”
When contacted for a response, Matawalle’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan Wudil, indicated that the minister would respond to the allegations made by Governor Lawal.
“I will forward our response today regarding that allegation.
I will get back to you,” Wudil said during a telephone conversation on Thursday.
