Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence and a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly urged Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to cease his purported clandestine maneuvers regarding a potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Speaking during Sallah festivities in Maradun, Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara, challenged Lawal to openly declare his political intentions rather than engaging in what he termed "hide and seek" tactics. He emphasized that the APC operates with order and humility, highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's welcoming stance towards new members.
Matawalle asserted that he holds no personal animosity towards Lawal should he choose to switch allegiances, but cautioned against the ongoing political machinations in Zamfara. He also used the occasion to reassure his supporters of his unwavering commitment to their well-being and encouraged their backing for President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly concerning security and economic reforms. The Defence Minister also took a swipe at Governor Lawal's administration, criticizing its perceived inaction on the persistent banditry in the state.
He accused Lawal of misleading the populace instead of implementing decisive measures, contrasting it with his own tenure as governor, during which he claimed the state experienced relative peace and visible development, despite receiving significantly lower monthly allocations—₦3 to ₦4 billion—compared to the alleged ₦19 to ₦24 billion now received under Governor Lawal. Matawalle challenged Lawal to disclose the state's monthly revenue and its utilization, stressing that development should be evident to the public.
