Mum is the word from Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Bello Matawalle after startling disclosures by his successor, the Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Dauda Lawal, that he was neck-deep in banditry as Governor of the embattled state.
Lawal also alleged that Matawalle was enmeshed in a N70 billion fraud.
Almost 48 hours after the allegations, neither the Minister, his ministry, nor the presidency has reacted to the damning allegations against a man who is supposed to be involved in fighting the deadly menace that has claimed livs and resources of private citizens paying huge sums to kidnappers.
Banditry still continues to rock the state and parts of the north-west of the country.
Lawal alleged further while Matawalle was the state’s chief executive, bandits were housed in the Zamfara State government house.
Lawal sought the resignation of the Defence Minister to clear his name after thorough investigation.
He made the disturbing allegations on Wednesday, September 18, in an interview with Television Continental (TVC).
His words: “There were a lot of issues in the past with my predecessor. In fact, let me say this is very categorical. If I were him, I would resign and face all the allegations against me. And that would have been more honorable because from all the information we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of these banditry issues.
“Typical is the fact that there was a permanent secretary when his children were abducted; it was unfortunate that he had to pay ransom through the government house. And it was also very clear based on all the allegations that bandits were being kept at government house. You know, there are so many issues.”
“So for me, honestly, if I were him, I would step aside and face this allegation until I clear my name before I come back and continue my job. That should have been more honorable. And how can you imagine all these allegations against him? And he’s still the Minister of Defense. I mean, that is unfair.
“This man could have been honorable, stay aside, face all these allegations, clear his name and then come back and continue to do whatever he wants to do. Whether he wants to remain as minister or he wants to do something else, that would have been more honorable as far as I’m concerned. If I’m in that position, believe me, I’ll put in my resignation letter,” Governor Lawal added.
He stated further: “In May last year, 2023, there was this allegation of misappropriating over ₦70 billion. And when we took over, we realized that that ₦70 billion was a child’s play compared to what we have. And all these information are before the EFCC. And I wonder how this guy was cleared by the security operatives before he’s confirmed as a minister.
“And the same thing I will say, if I were him, I will still face the EFCC to say that, look, let me clear my name. You know, this is a father of 41 children. For goodness sake, what kind of legacy is he going to leave for his children when you have been accused of misappropriating this amount of money? So he should have come out clean, face the EFCC, clear his name, and then come back and continue to do whatever he wants to do.
“Honestly, that would have been more honourable. But look at it, we are still waiting to hear from the EFCC. The case has been ongoing for over a year now. And this is people’s money. We need this money in Zamfara with all the challenges we are facing, with financial constraints. At least let’s have some of this money back into Zamfara so that we can work for the people of Zamfara State.”
