The All Progressives Congress Northern Elites Development Group has accused a two-term member of the House of Representatives from Zamfara State of orchestrating a youth protest against Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The group alleges that the lawmaker colluded with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government in Zamfara State to incite the protesters against the Minister.
They have called on the APC leadership, under Umar Ganduje, to investigate the matter and take necessary action against the lawmaker in the interest of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group’s spokesman, Alhaji Hashimu Ado Danmalam, condemned the actions of the APC lawmaker, describing them as “unnecessary, foolish, sabotaging, and politically intolerant,” aimed at destabilizing the party in Zamfara and Nigeria at large.
Ado Danmalam asserts that the attacks against Minister Matawalle stem from dissatisfaction with his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda in the region, particularly his stance against perceived enemies of Tinubu.
He claims that the lawmaker harbors resentment towards the Presidency, especially after not receiving support for his candidature for the speakership, despite Matawalle’s advice to withdraw in favor of the President’s endorsed candidate.
The group accuses the lawmaker of allegedly collaborating with Zamfara state government officials to sponsor protesters, including students from Nasarawa State University and unemployed youths, to discredit Minister Matawalle.
They urge the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, to initiate investigations into the matter and support the EFCC’s investigations against any suspected political office holders. However, they caution the EFCC against being swayed by emotional appeals and political grandstanding.
