The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to focus on governance and not smear campaigns against people in the government.
Recall that Lawal had accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle of sponsoring bandits during an interview on TVC, suggesting that Matawalle should resign to clear his name.
However, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko during a press briefing In Abuja on Friday, stated that Governor Lawal’s allegation was unsubstantiated and lacking merit.
He argued that the accusations against Matawalle, who served as Zamfara State Governor before his current appointment, are politically motivated and aimed at defaming his predecessor without credible evidence.
“During his interview, Governor Lawal claimed that Matawalle was involved in banditry and misappropriated billions of naira while in office. He accused the former governor of failing to address the insecurity in Zamfara.
“Lawal further criticized Matawalle for leaving the state’s treasury in disarray, citing that over N250 billion was unaccounted for when he took over office”, HURIWA quoted.
Onwubiko noted that the Minister of State for Defence remains a key figure in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, especially in the North-West region.
He called on the Zamfara State governor to focus on addressing the pressing issues facing the state rather than engaging in political squabbles and working ahead of 2027 elections.
Onwubiko expressed concern that while Lawal is preoccupied with discrediting Matawalle, the state continues to suffer from insecurity, poverty, and economic instability.
He questioned the transparency and accountability of such an expenditure, especially when juxtaposed with the achievements of Matawalle’s administration, highlighting reports that Lawal’s administration allegedly approved N19 billion for the procurement of kitchen equipment for the office of the First Lady, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, a move that has sparked outrage among citizens.
The group commended Matawalle’s contributions during his tenure as governor, stating that his achievements stand in stark contrast to Lawal’s administration, “which has been embroiled in controversies over frivolous spending and accusations of corruption.”
Onwubiko pointed out that Matawalle has been at the forefront of recent counterterrorism efforts in the North-West, working closely with service chiefs to combat banditry.
“The recent successes in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Sokoto and Zamfara, further demonstrate Matawalle’s commitment to eradicating insecurity in the region,” he said.
He also argued that it would be illogical for Matawalle to be involved in those accusations, given his active role in the ongoing war against bandits.
“If the Minister of State for Defence had any remote connection to banditry, would he be at the helm of operations to decimate terrorist groups in the North-West? The answer is no,” he queried.
Onwubiko therefore urged both the governor and the Minister of State for Defence to prioritize the needs of their people and collaborate in addressing the security challenges plaguing Zamfara and the wider North-West region.