By Sani Idris
A group under the auspices of North West Northern Elders Professional Development Group, has
condemned an alleged attempt aimed at tarnishing the image of the Minister of State Defense, Bello Matawalle by the Governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna by Dr Adamu Giwa, Secretary-General of the group, he said the recent allegations made by Governor Dauda Lawal against Matawalle, are unsubstantiated and divisive.
Giwa explained that Matawalle has consistently denied any involvement with bandits in Zamfara State while he was governor and emphasized his efforts to engage in dialogue to stop killings.
He added that Lawal’s accusations, as conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Idris, rely on unverified claims and unnamed sources.
“Idris stated that Matawalle, as governor, gave Hilux vehicles, money, and foodstuffs to bandits, yet failed to provide concrete evidence.
“It should be noted that Matawalle’s approach to addressing banditry through dialogue is not unique, as other governors in Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina states have adopted similar strategies.
“Zamfara government effortlessly spent money on propaganda and media trials against the minister of defense rather than fighting insecurity and supporting the armed force Fansa Yamma operations,”Giwa said.
He therefore said there must be an end to playing politics on the issue of insecurity, especially the use of vulgar language by some unpatriotic political elites, clerics, and mischief makers to create unwarranted fear in the people going about their activities or sabotage the efforts of President Tinubu towards achieving greater success in the total eradication of banditry in the North.
He emphasised that Zamfara, being ravaged by insecurity, poverty, poor governance, and employment challenges can’t afford the kind of propaganda and mischief created to malign anybody because of political differences.
Rather than making baseless accusations, the Secretary-General advised governor Lawal to focus on efforts to tackle the insecurity plaguing Zamfara state.
He also called tall stakeholders to work together to build a nation that is worthy of highest aspirations through patriotism and respect.
