Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has dismissed allegations of supporting banditry, challenging his accusers to present evidence.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Matawalle defended his approach of engaging in dialogue with bandits, stating that this strategy, endorsed by several governors, has resulted in the recovery of abducted individuals and ammunition in Zamfara.
They should bring any proof of that,” the minister said.
”Because I dialogue, it was not only I, remember all the governor dialogue the governor of Niger state dialogue with bandits, the governor of Sokoto did the same. while only me because it is Zamfara.”
”Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas”
Matawalle also indicated that his accusers are all involved in the activities they have alleged him of.
”Let me remind you I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening that if I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it or if I am collaborating with them God should not give me one-second grace”
“I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath that means they are part of it,
“I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits, including the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Governor of Sokoto State. Yet, I seem to be singled out, perhaps because Zamfara is a complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas,” he stated.
Estimates from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) indicate that last year, at least five times more people were kidnapped in Nigeria than in both Mexico and Colombia combined—countries well-known for their abduction issues.
The minister contended that his bold approach to confronting criminal elements in Zamfara has led to his unpopularity among those involved in illegal activities.
“The people who oppose me do so because I go after them,” he remarked
When asked if these individuals were politicians. He said in the affirmation, “Yes, they are politicians, and I go after them.””
“The dialogue brought significant success,” Matawalle asserted, citing the recovery of weapons and the release of thousands of abducted individuals, including some foreign nationals.
Banditry and kidnapping are just some of the challenges facing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power in May promising to tackle insecurity from criminal gangs, jihadists and other armed groups.
Drawing comparisons to the path of negotiations with bandits taken by then President Buhari, in his efforts to secure the release of the Chibok girls, Matawalle said, “This is a global practice; governments across the world enter into agreements to save lives,” he added.
Matawalle also condemned what he described as attempts to blackmail him for his efforts. “People are spreading misconceptions out of hate, but I have no regrets because we achieved a lot of success without paying a single kobo in ransom.”
Lies
The former state governor of Zamfara also refuted allegations of misappropriating state funds, asserting that these claims are fabrications by the current governor, Dauda Lawal.
”In my four years, I did not ever receive that money. The records are there, the indices are with the Ministry of Finance. It is on record and let me tell you I don’t understand I pity Dauda(Zamfara Gov)I thought for now he should concentrate on giving good governance to the people of Zamfara state. I thought, for now, he should concentrate on the issue of insecurity”
”I thought, for now, he should realise that governance is a continuous process because if he is in that seat today, tomorrow he will not”
”But how can someone come and be telling lies, a whole governor to come and deceive the public ”
Governor Lawal accused former governor Bello Matawalle of embezzling over ₦70 billion from the state government.
He lamented that despite evidence provided to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agency has made little progress in recovering the stolen funds.
When questioned about the governor’s claims, Matawalle responded, “How can he mention an unaccounted N240 billion when he previously stated it was N70 billion? It’s not surprising if you know who Dauda is; he clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”