An All Progressives Congress support group under the aegis of the ‘Tinubu Youth Network’ has asked President Bola Tinubu to launch an investigation into allegations surrounding Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence.
NewsNGR reports that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle had challenged General Ali Gusau(retd) and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to swear by the Holy Quran that they have no involvement in banditry ravaging the state and northwest while maintaining his innocence to any leak with banditry
“I ensured my aides, commissioners, and councillors took an oath before appointments,” he had said.
However, addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, TYN Secretary General, Yusuf Muhammad, urged the president to probe Matawalle’s alleged involvement with bandits and misappropriation of state funds.
He expressed concern over the allegations made by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal which had sparked concerns about Matawalle’s suitability for public office.
“We are not making these allegations lightly. We want a thorough investigation to clear Matawalle’s name and uphold our party’s integrity,” Muhammad said.
Speaking further, Muhammad cited specific concerns, including Matawalle’s alleged connections to notorious bandits Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru.
“Association with individuals responsible for heinous crimes undermines our party’s values and the president’s anti-corruption agenda,” Muhammad emphasised.
He also queried why loyalty to the president should shield Matawalle from investigation, arguing that “loyalty should not supersede accountability. We urge Matawalle to step down and subject himself to a thorough investigation.”
According to the youth leader, the allegations against the Defence Minister are too critical to be ignored.
He said, “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we, the Tinubu Youth Network, find it crucial to convene for a conference to openly appeal to the president and esteemed leader of our party, the APC, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regarding an important issue that affects our party.
“The Tinubu Youth Network 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.”
Muhammad further added that “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 emphasise 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.”