The executive-director, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has dismissed the recent protest by a Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity at the National Assembly calling for the sack of the immediate past Governor of Zamfara state Dr. Bello Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence,
Dr. Shinkafi said the ill-conceived protest and spurious allegations against Matawalle was sponsored by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal as a face-saving device to cover his gross incompetence and failure to provide security, progressive leadership, good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.
He said the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle is a man of integrity, an astute administrator, renowned civil servant, eminent Commissioner in Zamfara State, distinguished legislator, outstanding Governor and passionate Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who successfully scaled all security screenings and documentations, and had no petition by individuals or groups against his nomination at the National Assembly before his screening and confirmation as minister.
He said he is a man of impeccable character, high moral standard and an embodiment of patriotism who served 12 years as a member of the House of Representatives and was Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence for four years
“The frivolous allegation that Matawalle hoarded utility vehicles is subjudice as the matter is before the Federal High Court Sokoto. It is mischievous to politicize a matter before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Governor Dauda Lawal did not constitute any Administrative Panel of Inquiry let alone invited Matawalle to give account of his stewardship as governor of Zamfara State.
“The allegation of Matawalle being indicted by a panel of inquiry is false, a fabrication and political propaganda to tarnish his reputation by political jobbers and their sponsors. It is obvious that the rented crowd called protesters were not conversant with the Supreme Court judgement which declared that only a court of competent jurisdiction could indict a person of any criminal offence, not a Federal or State Government Administrative Panel of Inquiry.
“The allegation of embezzlement of Zamfara State International Cargo Airport funds is the figment of the fertile imagination of the rented crowd who did not know that the award and execution of the project is a Public-Private Partnership,”he said .
