A group, Zamfara Progressive Development Forum (ZAPDEF), on Friday condemned the alleged mischievous publication in an online news platform accusing a former Governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of Defense (State), Muhammed Bello Matawalle of consciously handing down Ramadan palliative to some bandits in the state.
The group in a statement by its Secretary General, Engr Lawal Usman Magami, condemned the allegation in strong terms describing it as “dirty politics” by unscrupulous supporters of the incumbent Governor, Dauda Lawal.
According to the group, the die-hard political jobbers who are behind the unpopular allegation are only doing so to tarnish the image of Dauda’s processor for cheap and temporary political gain which is against the interest of Zamfara people.
The statement read in part; “We have been following with kin interest the sociopolitical landscape of Zamfara State in recent times and we are not happy with the political dimension the security situation in that part of the Northwest Nigerian is taking especially the name calling and unnecessary blackmail and propaganda against one of the sons of the land, a former governor of the state and current Minister of Defense (State), Muhammed Bello Matawalle.
“With his support to the success so far recorded in the ongoing fight against insecurity challenges bedeviling the state through military operations and intervention, Minister Matawalle should have been appreciated rather than being castigated or maligned by the suspected divisive agents of Zamfara state government through hired writers hiding under a mushroom online news platform in the name of political witch hunt and mischief.
“Hon Matawalle was known by the Zamfara people a long time before now as a good leader who sacrificed much in ensuring the success of the fight against insecurity and political unity and cohesion. He will never allow sentiment or hatred to becloud his sense of judgment on the issue of security in the state especially now as Minister of State Defense.
“We wonder why such sponsored lies and propaganda in the holy month of Ramadan just to discredit him because of political differences and his active closeness with the government of the day at the central.
“It is important to add that playing politics and propaganda with the issue of insecurity in the state is destroying good efforts and genuine commitment to redeem the state and its people from these bandits who are projecting the state in a bad light before national and international communities.
“We therefore see this unfortunate development as unfair, biased, and injustice to accuse him of such a callous allegation of supporting anything Nathan than peaceful and secure Zamfara State and the Country as a whole.
“We also urge Governor Dauda Lawal to fear God, provide good governance to the electorate, and stop sponsoring malicious campaigns by way of financing such teleguided writers just because he does not like the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) and what it represents.
“Mr. Governor, we urge you to match your words with actions in solving escalating challenges of insecurity, hunger, and generally poor governance. Leave Hon Matawalle alone in person, collaborate with the federal government as you openly promised to Zamfara people and other genuine stakeholders to restore lasting peace to Zamfara communities. Enough of media propaganda”.