Zamfara APC Says Matawalle More Influential Than Gov Lawa

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State has declared that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, remains more politically influential in the state than Governor Dauda Lawal.

The party made the remark in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, while reacting to a report claiming that Governor Lawal had allegedly set a condition that Matawalle must be removed from office before he would consider defecting to the APC.

Idris said the governor had previously shown interest in aligning with the APC but had not been transparent in his approach.

According to him, the party recognises Matawalle as a major political force in Zamfara, citing his role as the North-West Campaign Director-General for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential bid.

The APC also accused Governor Lawal of undermining Matawalle’s security interventions in the North-West, alleging that he refused to allow the minister to establish an operational base in Zamfara during federal anti-banditry operations.

The statement further noted that Matawalle has continued to receive defectors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, both in Abuja and within the state.

The party insisted that Governor Lawal is “not in a position to set conditions” for joining the APC, advising him to approach the party’s leaders in the state if he genuinely intends to switch political allegiance.