A group, Northern Youths Awareness (NYA), has claimed that the executive governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, was afraid of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, due to concerns about the 2027 general election.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Mustepha Gaya, the NYA accused Governor Lawal of harbouring fears over Matawalle’s growing influence in the region.
LEADERSHIP reports that Matawalle is the immediate-past governor of Zamfara State. He was defeated by Lawal in the 2023 governorship election in the State.
Gaya claimed that Lawal, a key figure in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), feels threatened by Matawalle’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and his increasing prominence in the North.
“Matawalle’s allegiance to President Tinubu has unsettled Lawal, who is now being used by the opposition to create distractions in Zamfara,” Gaya stated.
He went on to suggest that Matawalle’s political weight and standing in Northern Nigeria pose a significant challenge to Lawal and the PDP’s aspirations ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the political landscape in Zamfara is further complicated by allegations linking Lawal to illegal mining activities in the region.
The claims surfaced following the arrest of notorious bandit leader Bashir Hadejia, whose reported confessions allegedly implicated Lawal in the region’s illegal mining operations. Hadejia also claimed that Lawal had orchestrated protests against President Tinubu’s administration.
He said adding to Lawal’s troubles were resurfaced allegations from his tenure as Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria, with opponents accusing him of illicit dealings during that period. The accusations have cast a long shadow over his political ambitions.
“He is also alleged to have engaged in illicit transactions with former Petroleum Minister Alison Diezani. Matawalle is aware of these secrets, which is why Lawal has launched media campaigns everywhere.
“He doesn’t want the Minister to expose his dirty secrets, but that won’t solve his problems.
“My advice for him is that he shouldn’t trade politics and insecurity with the precious lives of the people of Zamfara.”
Meanwhile, Matawalle remains steadfast, distancing himself from the violence plaguing Zamfara State and affirming his innocence on the Holy Qur’an.
“Matawalle’s focus is firmly on supporting Tinubu’s government and maintaining th e ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) dominance in the North,” he stated.
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