Dauda Lawal, the Zamfara State Governor has accused his predecessor and the Minister of State for defence, Bello Matawalle, of involving in banditry, News About Nigeria reports.
The governor made the allegation during a TVC politics program on Wednesday night.
He alleged that information he got revealed that Matawalle’s administration as Zamfara state governor was complicit with the bandits.
He also accused the former governor of misappropriating state funds and inadequately addressing the security challenges.
Lawal said, “Yes, there were a lot of issues in the past with my predecessor. In fact, let me state this very categorically: if I were him (Matawalle), I would resign and face all the allegations against me, which would have been more honourable. From all the information we are receiving, my predecessor (Matawalle) was fully involved in some of these banditry issues. A typical example is the permanent secretary whose children were abducted, and it was unfortunate that he had to pay ransom through the Government House. It was also very clear, based on all the allegations, that bandits were being sheltered at the Government House. And there were many other issues.
“So, for me, honestly, if I were him, I would step aside and face these allegations until my name is cleared, before returning to continue my job. How can you imagine such allegations against him, and yet he remains the Minister of Defence? I mean, that is unfair. In May 2023, there was an allegation of misappropriating over ₦70 billion, and when we took over, we realised that ₦70 billion was a small fraction compared to the rot on the ground. All this information was before the EFCC, and I wondered how this man was cleared by the security agencies before being confirmed as a minister.”
