On Tuesday, the demand for an investigation into Mohammed Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, intensified as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), organized under the APC Akida Forum, gathered at the Headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
The protesters urged the DSS to conduct an inquiry not to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation, but to protect millions of Nigerians and uphold the integrity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies, particularly the intelligence community.
By 9:30 am, the group, led by Mallam Musa Mahmud, Chairman of the APC Akida Forum, arrived at the DSS Headquarters, where they submitted a petition that was received by a senior official.
The petition stated, “As the APC Akida Forum, a socio-political pressure group based in Kaduna State, we wish to draw your attention to a pressing national issue affecting the lives of millions of Nigerians. We are deeply troubled by the allegations made by the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, regarding his predecessor, Bello Matawalle.
“In recent interviews broadcasted nationally, Governor Lawal raised serious concerns about the issues he inherited when he took office, including allegations that Matawalle sponsored banditry and misappropriated state funds. These allegations are critical, as they strike at the core of governance, security, and the welfare of the people in Zamfara State and warrant serious consideration.
“As loyal party members, we feel compelled to call for a thorough investigation into these serious claims to protect our party’s integrity and that of our esteemed leader, the President. Ignoring these matters could damage our party and the reputation of our security agencies.
“We want to stress that these issues extend beyond politics; they touch on life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental rights of citizens in Zamfara, the North West, and Nigeria as a whole. Therefore, we appeal to the DSS, an institution that Nigerians trust as a gatekeeper, to initiate an independent investigation into the numerous allegations against Bello Matawalle.
“Our concerns as loyal party members are significant. There are serious challenges and campaigns across the nation that threaten the reputation of our leader, the President, stemming in part from the actions of Bello Matawalle. We urge the DSS to investigate not to chastise Matawalle, but to protect the lives of millions of Nigerians and preserve the integrity of the President and the intelligence community.
“We believe the DSS is uniquely positioned to recommend that the President relieve Matawalle of his duties so that he can face an investigative panel. It is crucial for Matawalle to clarify his connections to notorious individuals such as Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru, as well as Kachalla Auwalun Daudawa, a bandit known for the abduction of Kankara students in 2020. Allegations suggest that Matawalle even purchased a house for Daudawa in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.
“In January 2023, when bandit warlord Bello Tagoji was arrested, the Commissioner of Security, DIG Mamman Tsafe, reportedly bailed him out on Matawalle’s orders. These are not mere abstract allegations; they represent real violations of the rights of Zamfara’s citizens—their rights to education, healthcare, economic security, and safety from banditry and violence.
“These concerns should resonate with any Nigerian genuinely invested in the welfare of our country and our party. The assertion that Matawalle ‘remains loyal to President Bola Tinubu and enjoys the administration’s full trust’ raises alarm. Since when has loyalty to a sitting president been a shield against accusations of association with dangerous bandits?
“Matawalle is not the only minister in our government; why does he alone face numerous allegations? Why is the senior Defence Minister, His Excellency Badaru, not facing similar accusations? Any concerned party member should be alarmed.
“The APC Akida Forum believes that where there is smoke, there is fire. To ensure transparency and accountability, we strongly urge Bello Matawalle to resign from his position and submit to a comprehensive investigation. This is essential to uphold accountability and preserve the integrity of his role as a member of the APC, the largest political party in Africa.
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