Matawalle: Ensure Equity In Anti-corruption War, CSO Tells Tinubu

A frontline national civil society organization (CSO), Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative (EUYI) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his campaign promises and rid his administration of corruption and ineptitude appointees

The group, which focuses on promoting youth empowerment through policy reforms and engagement with relevant stakeholders, specifically called for the removal of the minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, citing alleged corrupt practices during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

In a letter to written to the president dated April 24, 2024 and signed by Comrade Danesi Momoh and Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta; National Coordinator and National Secretary of EUYI respectively, copies of which were made available to journalists in Abuja, the group commended Tinubu for his efforts in stabilising the country and listening to the yearnings of Nigerians.

It, however emphasided the need for him to fulfil his promise to stamp out corruption from his administration.

The letter read in part, “Mr President, we will not stop commending you for steering the ship of the Nigerian State from the troubled waters where you took over and achieving measurable stability with clear assurances of the Renewed Hope Agenda you promised, which is where we are. We are grateful also that you listen to citizens and have carefully worked to meet their needs.

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“Very importantly, you promised to stamp out corruption and ineptitude from your administration and have only recently launched a performance assessment system for your administration. Nigerians are keenly watching. Many are worried that your desires and quest for excellence may be truncated by political exigencies. We are however hopeful that Your Excellency will be strict and firm as usual without leaving any stone unturned”.

The group therefore urged the president to prove himself worthy of his campaign promises by sacking Matawalle due to his running battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other scandals he has perpetrated even as a minister and member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“The litmus test of your administration’s true position on corruption will be seen in the manner and way the serial allegations of corruption against the minister of state for defence and former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, will be handled.

“Regardless of his high political exposure and possible political capital, his lack of capacity and allegations of corruption, including his involvement in the N70 billion fraud case against him with the EFCC makes him unfit to remain a member of FEC. His presence taints the reputation of your administration and questions the Renewed Hope Agenda you’re vigorously pursuing. We expect you to act swiftly and speedily too to redeem the image of your administration”, the letter added.