By Husaini Yero A fresh wave of political controversy has erupted within the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congr...
By Husaini Yero
A fresh wave of political controversy has erupted within the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, mismanaged party resources and made false claims about financial donations.
In a statement signed by Zamfara APC Secretary, Hon. Mansur Aminu Khalifa, the party dismissed Matawalle’s claim of donating ₦500 million to APC supporters as a “political gimmick.” The statement challenged Matawalle’s faction to provide evidence of how the money was distributed, accusing them of peddling deceitful narratives.
"The claim that Minister Matawalle donated ₦500 million to Zamfara APC supporters is deceitful. The former Welfare Secretary of the APC under Tukur Danfulani, Bashir Ataka, has exposed this false narrative," the statement read.
The crisis within the Zamfara APC took a dramatic turn when Khalifa declared that the leadership of Tukur Danfulani, the state party chairman, was illegitimate, stating that Danfulani had long been suspended. According to him, any actions taken by Danfulani and his executives are “null and void in the eyes of the law.”
The controversy also extends to the distribution of relief materials. The party accused Matawalle and his associates of diverting a large portion of the 12,000 bags of rice donated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to APC supporters in Zamfara State.
Additionally, the statement alleged that ₦50 million donated by President Tinubu to victims of armed banditry and fire incidents in Zamfara had not reached the intended beneficiaries. It suggested that the funds might still be in the hands of the minister or entangled within his political circle.
The statement further praised Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, a prominent APC leader in the state, for his contributions to party supporters. It highlighted his efforts in mobilizing support for President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, stating that he remains a key figure in Zamfara APC politics.
The political rift escalated when the statement referenced Matawalle’s diminishing influence in the state, citing an incident where his convoy was allegedly stoned by residents during his second visit to Zamfara since his electoral defeat.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the faction warned that Matawalle’s political standing in the state is waning. It urged President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to be cautious of the minister’s actions, predicting that he might once again clash with the party’s interests.
Meanwhile, the party reaffirmed its support for the Isiyaka Ajiya Anka-led APC faction, stating that it remains the legitimate leadership in Zamfara until a new congress is held.
The deepening crisis signals a prolonged battle for supremacy within the Zamfara APC, as party factions continue to trade accusations in a bid to control the party’s future in the state.
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