The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to take legal action against the spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, over allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence and former governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to past high-profile abductions in the region.
In a strongly worded statement, the party condemned Kaura’s recent remarks, particularly his claims that the December 11, 2020, abduction of over 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, was carried out with the alleged collaboration of Matawalle and armed bandits.
The party also cited Kaura’s accusation that Matawalle received ₦300 million from former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari to facilitate the students’ release but allegedly gave only ₦30 million to the kidnappers.
Describing the claims as “defamatory and baseless,” the APC said it has instructed its legal team to initiate a lawsuit against Kaura. The party stressed that the legal action is not just to demand a retraction, but to compel Kaura to provide concrete evidence for his assertions, especially regarding the Kankara incident and other abductions he labeled as “prearranged.”
Among the incidents referenced were the February 26, 2021, abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State — who were released within two days under Matawalle’s administration — as well as the kidnappings at Kaya in Maradun LGA and the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura.
The APC also indicated it may extend the legal suit to Maibiredi TV, the platform that aired the interview, accusing both Kaura and the interviewer of “coordinated misinformation” aimed at tarnishing the image of the Minister and the party.
“During his tenure, Governor Matawalle was known for visiting and providing immediate support to banditry-affected communities across the state,” the statement noted. “From Gwaram and Kanoma to Kaya, Faru, and Bukkuyum, his administration showed consistent presence and action in response to insecurity.”
The party further took exception to Kaura’s alleged remarks that Matawalle was “ungrateful to God” and suffering from “hallucinations,” stating that such language not only disrespects the office of the Minister but also undermines civil discourse.
Reaffirming its support for Matawalle, the APC urged him not to interfere in the legal process but to allow the law to take its course. The party called on its members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
The APC also accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state of attempting to deflect attention from its own failures in handling security issues.
“These outbursts are a desperate attempt to distract the public from the escalating insecurity under Governor Dauda Lawal’s watch. It reflects panic over the growing popularity and influence of Dr. Matawalle and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar among the people,” the statement read.
The party vowed to resist what it called the PDP’s “campaign of deceit” and assured supporters that “truth and justice will prevail ahead of 2027.”
