A group, Tinubu Youth Network (TYN) has called for the removal and investigation of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle over alleged involvement with bandits in Zamfara State.
The group’s call is coming on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s plan to reshuffle his cabinet soon.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Kaduna, Secretary General of the Youth Network, Yusuf Muhammad said there were so many allegations bordering on insecurity against Matawalle, warning that the welfare and security of the people of Zamfara State should not be handled lightly by the government.
“The Tinubu Youth Network (TYN) is compelled to make a public appeal after several unsuccessful attempts to contact the leaders of our ruling party, the APC, regarding the allegations made by the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, against his predecessor and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
“A series of interviews granted on national television have gone viral. In these interviews, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, raised grave concerns about the issues he inherited upon assuming office. These issues include the accusation of sponsoring bandits and misappropriation of state funds by his predecessor and the junior Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle. These are serious matters that strike at the heart of governance, security, and the welfare of the people of Zamfara State and should not be handled lightly.
“We consider it our responsibility as youth to seek a thorough investigation into these serious claims to uphold the integrity of our party and our esteemed leader, the president. Failing to address these issues could hurt our party in the future.
“We want to emphasize that the issues at stake here are not just political problems. They encompass matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara State, the Northwest, and Nigeria as a whole. This is why we are urging our esteemed leader, the President, to launch an investigation into the numerous allegations levelled against the state minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
“We must be concerned as loyal party members about these issues. Serious challenges and campaigns are underway across the country, targeting the hard-earned reputation of our leader, the president. Part of this is caused by the previous actions of people such as Bello Matawalle.
“The investigation we want our leader, the president, to conduct is not to castigate the State Minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle, but to safeguard the integrity of the All Progressives Congress and the president’s good image.
“It is imperative that Bello Matawalle be removed from his position and an investigative panel be formed to investigate the allegations. The state minister for Defence should clarify his connections with dangerous individuals bandits.
“Kachalla Auwalun Daudawa is a bandit who abducted the Kankara students in 2020. There are heavy allegations that Matawalle bought a house for him in the Damba area of Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.
“These are not abstract concerns. They represent actual, tangible violations of the rights of Zamfara’s citizens — the right to education, healthcare, economic security, and to live free from the constant threat of banditry and violence. It is precisely these issues that should be at the forefront of any reasonable Nigerian who means well for the country and our dear party.
“The claim that Matawalle “remains loyal to President Bola Tinubu and has the full trust of the administration” is quite concerning. Since when has loyalty to a sitting president become a measure by which an individual accused of associating with dangerous bandits should be unquestionably protected?
“Bello Matawalle is not the only minister in our government. Why is he the only one with so many questionable pasts and heavily surrounded by allegations? Why is it that nobody is accusing the substantive and senior Defence Minister, His Excellency Badaru, of involvement with bandits or any killer group? Any sensible person who has our party at heart must be worried.
“The Tinubu Youth Network (TYN) believes that where there is smoke, there is fire. In the interest of upholding transparency and fairness, we strongly urge Bello Matawalle to step down from his position and subject himself to a thorough investigation. This is imperative to ensure accountability and maintain the integrity of his person as a parent and a member of the biggest and greatest political party in Africa, the APC”. Muhammad said.
