A former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the Nationwide Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda to name the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to order over his alleged divisive politics within the state that led to the celebration’s defeat within the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Shinfaki in a press release on Friday, warned that the APC can be heading for an additional defeat within the state heading if the Minister doesn’t put to an finish what he describes because the divide-and-rule tactic of the previous authorities forcing some outstanding politicians to depart the celebration.
The APC chieftain accused the Minister of turning his ministerial workplace to his governorship marketing campaign workplace the place he receives fellow APC members who switched from one chief’s camp to his camp.
The APC chieftain, who was a member, Tinubu – Shettima Presidential Marketing campaign Council 2023, stated that Matawalle has been dissipating vitality and assets preventing outstanding leaders of the celebration within the state in an try to hijack all celebration constructions and proceed his divide-and-rule tactic.
“It’s worrisome that Matawalle who ought to make use of his place as former governor and present Minister of State for Defence to unite, stabilize and strengthen APC in Zamfara State is the individual inflicting disaffection amongst celebration members forward of the 2027 common election having did not be taught from his politics of bitterness and vendetta that factionalized the celebration and led to his defeat as a sitting governor by the Peoples Democratic Occasion’s Dauda Lawal,” he stated.
“As a substitute of an intensive membership drive, Bello Matawalle has been busy chasing shadows in a vicious cycle. This childish politics should cease if APC ought to regain Zamfara State in 2027. There was a nationwide clamour for inclusive politics and governance in Nigeria which is a part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, in Zamfara APC, the reverse is the case. It’s unacceptable, undemocratic and retrogressive.
“Annoyed over the failure of his second time period bid as governor, Matawalle has been sowing seeds of discord amongst APC members within the state. He accused Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji and his supporters of anti-party actions in 2023 which compelled Jaji to represent a factional APC management within the state led by Isiyaka Ajiya Anka. Equally, Senator Kabiru Mafara created one other APC factional management led by Alh. Sirajo Maikatako.
“l determined to detach myself from some APC actions, significantly these related to a former governor. It’s to keep away from pointless confrontations and factionalizations of APC within the state.
“But Matawalle and his supporters maintain confronting vital stakeholders of the celebration together with former governors Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, Ahmad Sani Yerima , Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Hon Abdulmalik Zubairu Zanna and Muhktar Shehu Idris .
“In August 2025, l narrowly escaped the second try on my life whereas getting back from Friday Mosque prayers in Abuja. Clues from the dastardly motion confirmed it was politically motivated by reactionary forces in Zamfara State.
“I used to be not shocked that a few of my supporters within the state lately visited the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle on the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja.
“Matawalle now makes use of his ministry’s workplace to obtain fellow APC members who swap camp from one chief to his facet together with supporters of Hon. Amin Sani Jaji, Senator Kabiru Mafara, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari and Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, all from the APC household.
“It’s ignoble for a minister of the Federal Republic to show his workplace to a private marketing campaign workplace the place he receives inter-party and intra-party decampees.
“The warfare in opposition to terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry, militancy, secession, kidnapping for ransom, armed theft and cultism ought to pre-occupy the minds of any Minister of Defence and his junior minister because the safety and welfare of the persons are the first function of presidency.
“It’s why I increase an alarm and urge Mr President and APC nationwide chairman to intervene and name Bello Matawalle to order earlier than it’s too late.”
