The Minister of State for Defense, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has challenged those accusing him of aiding banditry in Zamfara State or anywhere in the country to provide proof and present it to the public.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, the Minister said he was the only Governor of Zamfara State who swore by the Holy Quran that he had no connection with bandits or any interest in the criminal activities perpetrated by the marauding groups in the state.
He further stated that, during his tenure as governor, he required his aides, commissioners, and councilors to also take an oath before their appointments.
Recall that the incumbent governor of Zamfara State, Lawal Dauda, had earlier called for Matawalle’s resignation as Minister of Defense due to alleged involvement in banditry.
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In response to the allegations, Matawalle challenged anyone with proof of his involvement in aiding bandits to come forward and present the evidence.
The former governor, who described Zamfara as a “very complex and difficult state to govern,” also pointed out that he was not the only governor who engaged in dialogue with bandits, citing former governors of Sokoto, Niger, and Katsina who negotiated with bandits to prevent the collapse of their states.
When asked why he was accused of aiding banditry, Matawalle responded: “They should bring any proof for that.”
He continued, “Because I dialogued with bandits? I was not the only one that dialogued with the bandits.
“The Governor of Niger State, Abu Sani Bello, the Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the Governor of Katsina, Aminu Masara dialogued with them. So why only me?
“Because Zamfara is a very small and complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.
“The people of Zamfara will not like me because I’m fearless and can confront anyone. Most of those involved in this heinous act don’t like me because I go after all of them. Those destabilizing the state are politicians.
“Let me remind you, during my term, I was the only governor who swore with the Holy Quran that I have no hands or connection with banditry and that I’m not happy with what is happening.
“I swore with the Holy Quran that if I’m happy with what is happening, or if I’m part of it or know those doing it, or if I collaborate with them, that God should not give me one second of grace.
“And I challenged all the politicians then, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda (Zamfara Governor), to come and do the same, but none of them took the oath.
“I took the oath because I had a clean mind, and not just that, I ensured that all my councilors, chairmen, and commissioners took the oath before appointments that they had no hand in the criminal activities in the state. Go and check, the record is there.
“I challenge those people to take that same oath. None of them has taken that oath till today since I challenged them,” Matawalle said.
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