By Achiever Peterson
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum Today, Nov 12, 2024, staged a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, calling for an investigation into the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle.
The protesters accused the former Zamfara State governor of having connections to banditry in the region.
Led by APC Akida Forum chairman, Musa Mahmoud, the demonstrators arrived at the DSS headquarters early in the morning to submit a petition. They emphasized that the purpose of their action was not to castigate Matawalle but to protect Nigerian citizens and safeguard national security.
The protest highlights growing concerns about the security situation in Zamfara State and the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials in criminal activities.
As the DSS considers the protesters' demands, the incident, no doubt, underscores the complex challenges facing Nigeria's fight against banditry and terrorism in the northern regions.
The petition reads in part, "We are the APC Akida Forum, a socio-political pressure group headquartered in Kaduna State.
“We write to bring to your attention an urgent national concern affecting millions of Nigerians' lives. The APC Akida Forum is seriously concerned by the allegations made by the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, against his predecessor and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
"A series of interviews granted on national television have gone viral. In these interviews, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, raised grave concerns about his inherited issues upon assuming office.
"These issues include Bello Matawalle, his predecessor and junior defense Minister, being accused of sponsoring bandits and misappropriating state funds. The severe matters strike at the heart of governance, security, and the welfare of the people of Zamfara State and should not be handled lightly.
“We consider it our responsibility as loyal party members to seek a thorough investigation into the serious claims to uphold the integrity of our party and our esteemed leader, the President. Failing to address these issues could hurt our party and the reputation of relevant security agencies.
"We want to emphasize that the issues here are not just political problems. They encompass matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara State, the North West, and Nigeria as a whole. Hence, we send this appeal to the Department of State Services (DSS) because Nigerians have faith in the institution as a gate keeper. We want the DSS to launch an independent probe into the numerous allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle,” they alleged among others.
The argued that the claim that Matawalle "remains loyal to President Bola Tinubu and has the full trust of the administration" is quite concerning, wondering, “since when has loyalty to a sitting president become a measure by which an individual accused of associating with dangerous bandits should be unquestionably protected?
They do further alleged: "Bello Matawalle is not the only Minister in our government. Why is he the only one with many questionable pasts and heavily surrounded by allegations? Why is nobody accusing the substantive and senior Defence Minister, His Excellency Badaru, of involvement with bandits or any killer group? Any sensible person who has our party at heart must be worried.
"The APC Akida Forum (AAF) believes that where there is smoke, there is fire. To uphold transparency and fairness, we strongly urge Bello Matawalle to step down from his position and subject himself to a thorough investigation. This is imperative to ensure accountability and maintain the integrity of his person as a parent and a member of the biggest and most significant political party in Africa, the APC."
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