**Zamfara, Nigeria** – Former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has strongly rejected allegations that he is involved in banditry, responding to accusations from the current Governor, Dauda Lawal. In a recent interview with Channels Television, Matawalle, who now holds the position of Minister of State for Defence, made a bold challenge to Lawal and other politicians, urging them to swear on the Quran to affirm their innocence regarding the persistent banditry crisis in the state.
Matawalle emphasized his own integrity, stating, “I was the only governor to swear on the Holy Quran that I have no hand in banditry.” He called upon his political counterparts, including General Ali Gusau and Governor Lawal, to do the same, asserting that if they refuse to take the oath, it would imply their complicity in the banditry issue. “None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath, that means they are part of it,” he declared.
Governor Lawal has previously urged Matawalle to resign in order to clear his name, accusing him of keeping terrorists at the government house and facilitating ransom payments to these groups. In response to these claims, Matawalle defended his controversial decision to engage in dialogue with bandits, explaining that this approach was not unique to him. He pointed out that several governors, including those of Niger and Sokoto states, also engaged in dialogue with bandits, asking rhetorically, “Why am I singled out? Because it is Zamfara.”
Matawalle portrayed Zamfara as a complex state fraught with challenges, stating, “Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings and devilish ideas.” He further claimed that his accusers are themselves involved in the activities they allege against him. “I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits,” he stated.
Additionally, Matawalle dismissed allegations that he siphoned state funds during his tenure. He contended that these accusations are unfounded and fabrications stemming from the current administration. “In my four years, I did not ever receive that money. The records are there, the indices are with the Ministry of Finance,” he said, urging Lawal to focus on governance and the pressing issues of insecurity in Zamfara State.
Lawal, in a counterstatement, accused Matawalle of misappropriating over ₦70 billion from the state government. He expressed concern that, despite presenting evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), there has been little progress in recovering the alleged stolen funds. This ongoing feud between the former and current governors highlights the deep political tensions in Zamfara as both leaders grapple with the critical issue of banditry and governance in the state.
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