The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, faces mounting pressure to resign after being linked to terrorism and banditry in Zamfara State. The allegations surfaced after Dauda Lawal, the current Zamfara State Governor, claimed Matawalle procured vehicles for bandit leaders, including the notorious kingpin Bello Turji, during his tenure as state governor.
Speaking on TVC, Lawal urged Matawalle to resign and face the accusations, stating, “From all the information we are getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry.” He further alleged that terrorists were housed in the government building, and ransom payments were funneled through the state’s administration.
These claims add to a series of allegations against Matawalle, including a lingering investigation into the misappropriation of N70 billion. Despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handling the case for over a year, no resolution has been reached. Lawal expressed surprise that Matawalle was cleared to serve in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet despite these allegations.
Matawalle has also faced accusations from Islamic cleric Bello Asada, who claimed in a video that the minister procured over 30 vehicles for bandits, including a 2019 Hilux for Turji. Asada questioned why the notorious bandit had yet to be captured despite his visibility on social media.
Matawalle’s camp dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Dr. Suleiman Shuaib, an aide to the minister, refuted the claims, stating that Matawalle only engaged in dialogue with bandits as a peace effort during his early days as governor. Shuaib emphasized that the accusations were part of a smear campaign led by Governor Lawal.
Analysts, however, view the situation as part of a broader trend of insecurity being weaponized for political gain. Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Limited, criticized the contrasting approaches between the federal and state governments, noting the federal government’s alleged negotiations with bandits.
Calls for Matawalle to resign are growing, with the New Nigeria Peoples Party spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, questioning President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Matawalle to the Ministry of Defence. Johnson expressed concern over the government’s silence on these allegations, arguing that Matawalle should address the accusations and clarify his position.
