The Zamfara Youth Concerned Citizens (ZYCC) has called on the former governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle, to contest for the governorship in 2027.
Matawalle,who is the current minister of defence for State,was the governor of Zamfara State from 2019-2023.
Speaking while addressing newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday, the Chairman of the group, Comrade Anas Abdullahi Kaura, described Dr. Matawalle’s tenure as a “golden era” for Zamfara, marked by transformative policies and inclusive governance.
“During challenging times like these, we find ourselves looking back to the golden era of good governance—a time when the state flourished under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Bello Matawalle,” Kaura said.
He highlighted Matawalle’s efforts in tackling insecurity, empowering youth and women, improving education, and revitalizing the state’s economy as key achievements.
He said :”Under Matawalle’s administration, thousands of youth and women were empowered through vocational training in fields such as tailoring, carpentry, and IT.
“Additionally, over 3,500 youth benefitted from the Small Business Support Scheme, which provided capital to support entrepreneurial ventures.”
The group also commended Matawalle’s initiatives like the Zamfara Social Intervention Program (Z-SIP), which provided monthly stipends of ₦10,000 to over 25,000 individuals, and the establishment of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), which trained over 3,000 youth in digital skills.
“Dr. Matawalle made history by appointing over 8,000 youth into political and governance roles, empowering them economically and equipping them with opportunities to invest in businesses, acquire property, and further their education,” Kaura added.
The group’s spokesperson, Ahmad Abdullahi Shinkafi, emphasized the need for Matawalle to heed the call of the people.
Shinkafi pointed to Matawalle’s achievements as Minister of State for Defence, where he contributed to reducing national insecurity, as evidence of his capability to restore stability and prosperity to Zamfara State.
“We urge Dr. Bello Matawalle to return to the helm of leadership in 2027. His tenure as Minister of State for Defence has shown his capacity to tackle insecurity at a national level