The political climate in Zamfara State, Nigeria, has intensified as two key political figures, former Governor Bello Matawalle and current Governor Dauda Lawal, trade accusations surrounding the sensitive issue of banditry in the region.

In a dramatic move, Bello Matawalle, who now serves as Minister of State for Defence, publicly swore on the Quran, declaring that he has no connections with the bandits responsible for the insecurity in Zamfara. This declaration came after Governor Lawal accused him of being involved in banditry activities. By swearing on the Quran, Matawalle made a significant cultural and religious statement, especially in a region where such oaths carry immense weight.

The accusation by Lawal is a serious one, as banditry has ravaged the northwest of Nigeria, including Zamfara, where many lives have been lost, properties destroyed, and the economy crippled. Lawal’s claim suggests that Matawalle, while serving as governor, had been shielding bandits and even housing some of them in the Zamfara State Government House.

Sani Shinkafi, a former governorship candidate and a close ally of Matawalle, strongly defended the ex-governor against these allegations. Shinkafi criticized Governor Lawal for making what he called “false accusations” against politicians from the state, warning the governor to refrain from spreading misinformation.

Shinkafi argued that some of Governor Lawal’s actions, including his statements against Matawalle, depict a man who is either ignorant of the law or fearful of Matawalle’s rising political profile. He suggested that Lawal might be using these accusations as a political weapon to undermine Matawalle’s influence, both within the state and at the national level, where he now holds a key defense position.

One of the key issues fueling this political feud is a leaked memo that recently went viral on social media. The memo allegedly outlines how the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Lawal’s administration, had made payments to bandits. This leak has sparked outrage and questions about the state government’s possible involvement in negotiating with, or even supporting, the bandits financially.

Shinkafi seized on this memo, demanding that Governor Lawal come forward and clarify his government’s position on the matter. He called on Lawal to take responsibility for the allegations in the leaked document rather than deflecting the issue by accusing Matawalle of wrongdoing. According to Shinkafi, Lawal’s efforts to blame Matawalle might be a strategy to distract the public from the governor’s own challenges in addressing the banditry crisis.

Despite Shinkafi’s defense, Governor Lawal has not backed down from his accusations. In a television interview with TVC, Lawal doubled down on his claims, asserting that Matawalle’s involvement with bandits during his tenure as governor of Zamfara disqualifies him from holding a position related to national security, such as the Minister of State for Defence. Lawal went as far as to demand Matawalle’s resignation, arguing that the former governor is not fit to handle the nation’s security concerns if he is linked to those behind the insecurity in Zamfara.

The ongoing feud between the two leaders is likely to have significant political consequences in Zamfara and beyond. With Matawalle serving in a critical role in the national defense sector, any allegations of his involvement with banditry could harm his political standing and raise concerns about Nigeria’s broader security strategy.

However, the public remains divided on the issue. While some are critical of Matawalle and see Governor Lawal’s accusations as justified, others view this as political maneuvering and a smear campaign aimed at weakening Matawalle’s influence. Shinkafi’s vocal defense of Matawalle adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as he continues to argue that the accusations are baseless and politically motivated.

The conflict between Governor Dauda Lawal and former Governor Bello Matawalle highlights the deep divisions in Zamfara’s political landscape, particularly around the highly sensitive issue of banditry. As both sides continue to exchange accusations, the focus should remain on finding sustainable solutions to the banditry crisis that has plagued the region for years.

Zamfara State residents, and Nigerians at large, will be watching closely to see how these political developments unfold, especially as both men hold significant positions of power. Ultimately, the hope is that the region’s security challenges can be addressed, regardless of the political wrangling taking place.

“It has become necessary to set the record straight to ensure that members of the public will not be misled and deceived by the tissue of lies, political sentiment, and power intoxication of the governor, who ought to be an embodiment of patriotism,” the statement said.

“It has been the pastime of Governor Lawal to rush to television stations to disparage Dr. Bello Matawalle, permanently angry that President Bola Tinubu appointed him the Minister of State for Defence against his wish, as if his myopic political interest should supersede national interest at a time of unprecedented insecurity in the country.

“…Matawalle, a devout Muslim, publicly held the Holy Quran in Government House Gusau and swore that he had no link with bandits.

“The Deputy Governor, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Permanent Secretaries also took the same oath. It is unfortunate that Dauda Lawal would be on national television stations to blackmail him with impunity, leveraging his immunity as a serving governor as if being a governor is a license to insult fellow citizens.

“In a flagrant show of executive rascality, Governor Lawal has displaced his media aides as an unguarded attack dog, setting aside decency, decorum, and dignity expected of a governor, to the embarrassment of the good people of Zamfara State.

“It is obvious that Matawalle inherited armed banditry from the government of his predecessor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari. He set out to tackle it head-on, adopting kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, which yielded positive results, leading to the voluntary surrender of over 5,000 locally made guns, AK-47s, AK-49s, rocket launchers, general-purpose machine guns, and chains of arms and ammunition by repentant bandits and defunct Yansakai, in the presence of then-Governor Bello Matawalle, security chiefs in Zamfara State, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, etc.

“Government is a continuum; instead of focusing on good governance, Dauda Lawal would either junket around the globe seeking elusive investments while the state burns or jump from one television station to another reeling out unfounded allegations against the Hon. Minister of State for Defence, in a clear case of inferiority complex and incompetence.

“This politics of bitterness is outdated, uncivilized, and capable of derailing the nation’s hard-earned democracy.

“Governor Lawal’s outbursts on national television stations were a serious disservice to the nation and an embarrassment to the good people of Zamfara State.

“Lawal allowed his increasing fear of Matawalle to blindfold him and question his patriotism. It is sad that Governor Lawal has reduced governance to propaganda and child’s play.

“His call for Matawalle to resign and clear his name of alleged financial impropriety while in office as governor is laughable and a joke taken too far.

“It shows that Lawal is totally ignorant of the meaning of false allegations and indictment by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

The revisions primarily involved correcting grammar, punctuation, and capitalization where needed.