The Minister of State for Defence and the former governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, has officially invited Governor Dauda Lawal to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The minister extended this invitation on Saturday at his home in Maradun, his place of origin, while hosting supporters who came to pay him Sallah respects, according to a statement released on Sunday by Ibrahim Dosara, the former Commissioner for Information.
Mr Matawalle called on Mr Lawal, who was elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to join the APC for the sake of the state’s advancement.
He urged Mr Lawal to approach the matter properly and join the APC rather than attempting to infiltrate the party covertly.
“Dauda Lawal should come and join the APC instead of engaging in the hide-and-seek antics that the governor appears to be playing,” Mr Matawalle was quoted as saying.
The minister reassured Mr Lawal that he bears no ill will towards him and warmly welcomed him into the supportive environment of the APC.
Mr Matawalle also encouraged Mr Lawal to become part of the APC, which he characterised as a pioneer in security, progress, development, peace, and harmony.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu, as a progressive leader, is an effective steward of peace and stability.
“President Tinubu is committed to the nation’s development and welcomes all who wish to join the vanguard of peace, harmony, growth, and progress,” he remarked.
Mr Matawalle expressed his dedication to his loyal supporters and urged them to continue their support for Mr Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He affirmed that the president has Zamfara’s best interests at heart and is eager to tackle the prevailing issues of insecurity and economic difficulties.
The minister recounted how Mr Tinubu’s administration has recently eradicated numerous terrorist leaders and their affiliates, who had been instilling fear in the state, the region, and the nation as a whole.
He stated that the president has recently ordered security personnel to eradicate the ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria before the year’s end.
Mr Matawalle indicated that the Ministry of Defence and the security hierarchy are currently formulating plans to ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Nonetheless, he expressed concern that the Zamfara government has not been effectively combating banditry or ensuring the welfare of its citizens.
Mr Matawalle remarked that the situation persists despite the significant monthly federal allocations being provided to the state.
Consequently, he urged Mr Lawal to justify these massive federal funds by delivering developmental initiatives and essential infrastructure across the state.
