Swear On The Quoran You’re Not Behind Banditry Activities, Minister Challenges Gov

The reputation of Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, is on the line over banditry activities in the state.

He is challenged to swear on swear on the Quoran he had no ties with those behind the banditry activities.

The challenge is thrown by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

Matawalle, a former governor of the state, and current Minister of State for Defence, threw the challenge during an interview on Channels Television, stating that while he could swear, that his predecessor could not.

“I am the only Governor of Zamfara who has sworn by the Holy Quran, declaring I have no ties to the bandits or their criminal activities in the state,”

“I swore with a clean mind, and I ensured that all my councilors, chairmen, and commissioners also took the same oath before their appointments. The record is there,” he concluded.

He further defended his dialogue with bandits, pointing out that other governors, including those of Sokoto, Niger, and Katsina states, had also negotiated with bandits to prevent the collapse of their respective states.

Matawalle remarked, “Why only me? Zamfara is a small but complex state with individuals harboring devilish ideas. The people of Zamfara may dislike me because I confront everyone involved in these heinous acts, including politicians who destabilise the state.”

He stressed that, unlike others, he took a bold step by swearing an oath of innocence before God, challenging politicians like General Ali Gusau and Governor Dauda to do the same. However, he claimed that none of them had accepted the challenge.

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The Eagle reports that last July, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle had warned his political enemies to stop sponsoring a wanted bandit, Bello Turji, to be damaging his name and reputation.

The warning which was contained in a statement from the office of the Minister, State, Ministry of Defense, flowed from counter allegations from the incumbent over same issue of bandits and their activities in the state and who was responsible.