A support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Tinubu Youth Network (TYN), has urged President Bola Tinubu to launch an investigation into allegations surrounding Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence.
Matawalle, who previously served as the Governor of Zamfara State, had challenged General Ali Gusau (retd) and current Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal to swear by the Holy Quran, affirming their innocence in the ongoing banditry crisis plaguing the state and the northwest region. He maintained that he had no connections to banditry, stating, “I ensured my aides, commissioners, and councillors took an oath before appointments.”
However, during a press briefing in Kaduna on Thursday, TYN Secretary General, Yusuf Muhammad, expressed concern over the allegations raised by Governor Dauda Lawal. Muhammad called for an urgent probe into Matawalle’s alleged involvement with bandits and the mismanagement of state resources during his tenure as governor.
“These are not allegations we make lightly. We demand a thorough investigation to either clear Matawalle’s name or uphold our party’s integrity,” Muhammad stated. He highlighted specific concerns, including Matawalle’s alleged ties to notorious bandits like Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru, which have cast a shadow over his suitability for office.
Muhammad argued that association with individuals responsible for heinous crimes undermines the core values of the APC and President Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda. He further stressed that loyalty to the president should not exempt Matawalle from scrutiny, insisting, “Loyalty must not supersede accountability. We call on Matawalle to step down and subject himself to a thorough investigation.”
The youth leader reiterated that the allegations against the Defence Minister are too significant to be overlooked. He stated, “We, the Tinubu Youth Network, feel compelled to make a public appeal after numerous failed attempts to engage the leadership of our party, the APC, regarding these serious accusations.”
Governor Dauda Lawal’s public remarks, made in widely circulated interviews, had drawn attention to the grave issues he inherited after taking office, including claims of bandit sponsorship and financial misappropriation by his predecessor. These concerns, according to Muhammad, have serious implications for governance, security, and the welfare of the citizens of Zamfara State and the northwest region.
Muhammad concluded by urging President Tinubu to act swiftly, stating, “We believe it is our responsibility as youth to seek the truth and ensure these allegations are thoroughly investigated. Failure to do so could harm our party’s future and, more importantly, jeopardize the lives, safety, and rights of the citizens of Zamfara State and beyond.”
The Tinubu Youth Network emphasized that addressing these concerns is critical, not just as a political issue but as a matter of national security and public trust.
