CSO Berates Attack On Minister Of State For Defence, Matawalle

ABUJA – The Patriots for Peace and Social Development has frowned at the continued attack against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

The non-governmental organisation, in a terse statement on Friday signed by its Executive Director, Sani Shinkafi, noted the need for the Zamfara State to focus on developing the state, and allowing Matawalle who is the immediate past governor of the state, to focus on his role at the national level.

Patriots for Peace and Social Development said that Matawalle was not the only person who had served the state, and that there was need for the current media campaigns on national television targeted at tarnishing his image, and making rubbish of his achievements.

The group, while criticizing allegations of collusion between the former governor and bandits ravaging the state, recalled that the Minister of State for Defence who it described as “A man of exceptional integrity… a devout Moslem publicly held the Holy Quran in Government House Gusau and swore that he had no link with bandits.”

It also condemned the actions of the state Governor, Dauda Lawal in this regard, noting its reluctance to join issues with the administration .

The statement further stated, “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 kenetic and non-kenetic approach which yielded positive results leading to the voluntary surrender of over 5000 locally made guns, AK-47, AK-49, rocket launchers, general purpose machine guns and chains of arms and ammunition by repented bandits and defunct Yansakai in the presence of then Governor Bello Matawalle, security chiefs in Zamfara State, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars etc.”

It stressed that while “Government is a continuum,” the Zamfara State government has rather than focused on “good governance,” embarked on “the globe seeking elusive investment while the state burns, or jumps from one television station to another reeling out unfounded allegations against the Hon. Minister of State for Defence…”

This is as it advised against politics of bitterness, stating that it was outdated, uncivilized, and capable of derailing the nation’s hard earned democracy.

Continuing it explained that “While in China on a state visit, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa and other top military officers to proceed to Sokoto State to crush banditry in the North West following bandits attacks on military personnel at Kwashabawa in Zurmi Local Government of Zamfara State led by one of the most wanted armed bandits kingpin, Bello Turji and imposition of levies and taxes up to the tune of N50 million to the people of Moriki community in Zurmi Local Government etc.”

“The presidential order was in tandem with Section 130(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, which provides that “The President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

“And also, Section 14(2)b of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

“In compliance with the presidential order, Matawalle and the military chiefs went to Sokoto using the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army as the Command/Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarindaji (JTF NWOPH).

“It is this well coordinated military operation that Governor Dauda Lawal went on television to rubbish the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle that he zoomed in and zoomed out of Sokoto State and went to Kano to share rice, absolutely ignorant of the functions of the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and the Federal Executive Council.

“The duties of the Minister of Defence is to provide administrative support services, timely and effectively to enable the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to build and maintain a modern, compact, strong, professional, mission-capable and mission-ready Armed Forces for the defence of National territory, maritime interest, airspace…. While The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the head of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Minister of Defence and the President of Nigeria.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is based at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, and works alongside the Permanent Secretary of Defence.

“In view of the highlighted functions and duties of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff in Nigeria, it is evident that Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Staff’s assignment in Sokoto State has yielded positive results following the coordinated operation and military onslaught against one of the wanted armed bandits kingpin in Nigeria and Niger Republic, Kachalla Halilu Sububu who the military neutralised along with members of his group including those who abducted and killed Sarkin Gobir, the District Head of Sabon Birni of Sokoto State, in its operation on Thursday 12th September 2024, from Sububu Forest to Bayanruwa and Mayanchi axis.

“In Katsina State, a notorious bandits kingpin, Wala Baburki who terrorized Kankara, Batsari and Safana in Katsina State was neutralized as well as Zakiru Najamilu, a notorious bandits leader terrorizing Maru and Bunjudu rural communities was equally killed in the military operation coordinated by the Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle.

The resounding success recorded recently has clearly shown the political will of Mr. President to end banditry in the shortest time,” according to the statement.

It added that “Matawalle should be left alone to concentrate on national security as the Minister of State for Defence. Attacking Matawalle will not transform Zamfara State nor provide fruits of democracy to its citizens.

“It is obvious that President Tinubu delegated the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Kyari and his Senior Special Assistant, Kabiru Ibrahim Masari to represent him in the flag off of rice palliative for the seven states in the North West region which was part of the president’s commitment to alleviate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

The rice palliative was intended to assist communities across Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara States.”

It is sad that Governor Lawal has reduced governance to propaganda and child’s play.

“Let it be clear that no amount of character assassination will distract Matawalle from discharging his duties as Minister of State for Defence.

“The purported allegations are mere figments of the imagination of political opponents seeking cheap publicity and public relevance. The law is clear on criminal allegations.

“The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that every person accused of any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides, “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty.” It is also an international human right under the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 11.

“Relying on the provision of the grundnorm, the governor has no legal backing to make such allegations against an esteemed citizen. He should stop dissipating energy and Zamfara State funds jumping from one television station to another casting aspersions on Matawalle. There must be an end to malice and mischief in politics,” the statement further pressed.