A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, to caution the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over what he described as divisive and destabilising political activities in Zamfara State.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja under the banner of his organisation, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr Shinkafi accused Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, of fueling internal crisis within the APC that contributed to the party’s defeat in the 2023 governorship election.
“It is worrisome that Matawalle, who ought to use his position as former governor and current Minister of State for Defence to unite, stabilise and strengthen APC in Zamfara State, is the person causing disaffection among party members ahead of the 2027 general election. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” Shinkafi said.
He alleged that instead of focusing on strengthening the party and mobilising new members, Matawalle has been engaged in internal battles with other prominent APC leaders, attempting to “hijack all party structures” in the state through a “divide-and-rule” strategy.
According to Shinkafi, Matawalle’s approach to politics has already caused factional divisions, leading to multiple parallel leaderships within the Zamfara APC – including those loyal to Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, Senator Kabiru Marafa, and other stakeholders.
Shinkafi further claimed that he has survived multiple assassination attempts allegedly linked to political disagreements within the state, noting that one of the incidents occurred in December 2024 in Gusau, and another in August 2025 in Abuja.
The APC chieftain criticised Matawalle for allegedly turning his official office at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Abuja, into what he called a “personal political campaign office” where he receives defectors and supporters from different APC factions.
“It is ignoble for a minister of the Federal Republic to turn his office into a campaign ground. The military is the strength of the nation; its sanctity should not be undermined by political activities.
“Matawalle should open his 2027 campaign office in Zamfara, not in the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
Shinkafi reminded the minister of his statutory duties, which include formulating and implementing national defence policy, ensuring military readiness, overseeing personnel welfare, and fostering international cooperation for national security.
He warned that diverting attention from these responsibilities could negatively affect both national security and the APC’s electoral prospects, particularly in the North-West region where President Tinubu secured his highest votes in the 2023 election.
