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Stop Using EFCC for Personal Gains in Matawalle Probe—Arewa Warns APC
The Arewa Concerns Citizen has cautioned Akida forum of the All Progressive Congress APC to stop using the anti-corruption campaign for political gains.
The statement follows a protest by a group of All Progressives Congress (APC) members who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged financial mismanagement by the current Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
The APC group, led by Mahmud Mohammed, claimed that during Matawalle’s tenure, his administration received N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee, and secured a loan of N105 billion.
The group urged the EFCC to probe the former governor, suggesting mismanagement of these funds.
However, the Arewa group, through its National Coordinator, Abubakar Mansur, cautioned against using the anti-corruption campaign for political gains.
“As a country, we must be careful not to politicize the fight against corruption,” Mansur said in a counter-statement issued on Tuesday. He emphasized that the focus should remain on ensuring justice, not political vendettas.
Mansur also expressed confidence in Governor Matawalle’s integrity, noting his transparent handling of state resources during his tenure.
He assured the public that the former governor welcomes any investigation, provided it is conducted impartially and without bias.
“Governor Matawalle has consistently demonstrated transparency in his administration, and any independent investigation will only affirm his commitment to the people of Zamfara,” Mansur added.
Defending the former governor’s record, Mansur highlighted the challenges faced by Matawalle upon assuming office, including severe underdevelopment and security issues in Zamfara.
The funds received by the state, Mansur stated, were allocated to infrastructure development, security initiatives, and public welfare, all aimed at reviving the state’s economy and ensuring stability.
The accusations from the Akida Forum of the APC, Mansur noted, overlook the legislative oversight that accompanied any loans taken by the state government.
“These loans were not for personal gain but were directed towards critical development projects for the long-term benefit of Zamfara,” he said.
Mansur urged Nigerians, particularly the people of Zamfara, to remain patient and discerning amid the ongoing accusations, stressing that only a fair and transparent process can bring the truth to light.
“Governor Matawalle has served with honor, and I am confident history will reflect his tenure as one marked by dedication to the welfare and progress of Zamfara State,”said.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.
The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It held that issue of leadership was internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.
It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP got being unmeritorious.
Details shortly…
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position, According to Daily Trust.
The newspaper quoted sources as saying that the former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) resigned two weeks ago.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Baba-Ahmed as special adviser on political matters to Shettima in September 2023.
Baba-Ahmed is the elder sibling of Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.
Baba-Ahmed served as chief of staff to Bukola Saraki, former senate president, from 2017-2019.
CONFRONTATION WITH MATAWALLE OVER NEF
In April 2024, Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, described the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group stated that the north made a mistake voting Tinubu in 2023.
In his reaction to Matawalle’s remarks, Baba-Ahmed said it would have served the Tinubu administration better if Matawalle had listed his achievements as minister — and the achievements of the other northern appointees — instead of attacking NEF.
“Scathing criticism of NEF by a junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised. He could have done a better job for this admin if he identified contributions of especially northern ministers and other appointees like me to improving security and reducing poverty in the North,” Baba-Ahmed said.
In a riposte, the minister said any appointee must defend and promote the administration they work for.
“Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) is well-known,” Matawalle said.
“The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser and it is incumbent on him to work for the success of the government he is part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons.
“It is pertinent to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owes the government a copious duty to promote, elucidate and advance the good works and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.”
He added that northern appointees must defend the government or take their exit.
Matawalle is a native of Zamfara while Baba-Ahmed hails from Kaduna.