The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has challenged Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal and other politicians to provide proof of his involvement in banditry.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the former Zamfara governor stated that his decision to dialogue with bandits was to recover abducted persons and retrieve ammunitions.

He noted that his method was supported by others, including Sokoto and Niger state governors. He said, “They should bring any proof of that. Because I dialogued, it was not only me. Remember all the governors dialogue; the governors of Niger State dialogued with bandits; the governor of Sokoto did the same. It’s not just me because it is Zamfara. Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.”

Matawalle claims those accusing him of being involved with bandits are the ones in bed with the criminals. According to him, his fearlessness in tackling criminal elements in Zamfara has made him unpopular.

He challenged his accusers, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to provide proof of his association with the bandits.

“Let me remind you I was the only governor who swore on the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening. If I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it, or if I am collaborating with them, God should not give me one second of grace.

I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath, that means they are part of it.

I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits, including the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Governor of Sokoto State. Yet, I seem to be singled out, perhaps because Zamfara is a complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.

“The people who oppose me do so because I go after them," he said

When Matawalle was asked if these individuals engaged with criminals, were politicians, he responded in the affirmative, “Yes, they are politicians, and I go after them.” He added that his dialogue also helped in the release of thousands of kidnapped individuals, including some foreign nationals.

The minister condemned any attempts to blackmail him for his work in Zamfara State. Matawalle denied claims of embezzling state funds while in office.

“People are spreading misconceptions out of hate, but I have no regrets because we achieved a lot of success without paying a single kobo in ransom.”

“In my four years, I did not ever receive that money. The records are there, and the indices are with the Ministry of Finance. It is on record and let me tell you, I don’t understand. I pity Dauda (Zamfara Gov). I thought for now he should concentrate on giving good governance to the people of Zamfara state. I thought, for now, he should concentrate on the issue of insecurity.

I thought, for now, he should realise that governance is a continuous process because if he is in that seat today, tomorrow he will not be.

But how can someone come and be telling lies, a whole governor to come and deceive the public.”

In a recent interview, Governor Lawal accused Matawalle of stealing over N70 billion from the state government. He lamented the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover the loot despite evidence provided.

Responding to the allegations, Matawalle said, “How can he say unaccounted N240bn? Before he said 70bn, it is not a surprise to me if you know who Dauda is, This is someone who doesn’t know what he is talking about."