The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has vowed to take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party following explosive allegations linking former Governor Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, to kidnapping incidents in the state.
In a strongly-worded statement issued Wednesday by spokesperson Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC denounced claims made by Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, media aide to Governor Dauda Lawal, as “baseless, defamatory and politically motivated.” The party’s State Working Committee, led by Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, convened an emergency meeting to address what it termed “provocative” remarks from the PDP camp.
“The lies being peddled by the Zamfara State Government, especially against Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, are not only misleading but must be investigated,” the APC declared.
The party particularly objected to Kaura’s recent online interview where he allegedly accused Matawalle of orchestrating the December 2020 abduction of 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State.
Kaura further claimed Matawalle received ₦300 million from then-Katsina Governor Aminu Masari for the students’ release but only remitted ₦30 million to the kidnappers.
“The APC, which vigorously tackled banditry during Matawalle’s administration, takes strong exception to these falsehoods and has directed its legal team to file a lawsuit,” the statement read. “Kaura must provide evidence to support these serious allegations.”
The APC challenged Kaura to substantiate claims regarding other high-profile kidnappings including:
– The February 2021 abduction of 270 girls from Jangebe’s Government Girls Secondary School
– Hostages taken from College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura
Highlighting security achievements under Matawalle’s tenure, the party noted swift rescues in towns like Gwaram, Kanoma, Kaya, Faru, Janbako, Lilo and Anka. It accused the PDP of fabricating allegations to mask governance failures and stir political tension.
“This reckless outburst against Matawalle and Yari reflects the PDP’s fear of our leaders’ growing popularity,” the APC stated, warning it may also sue Maibiredi TV for airing what it called a “scripted” interview.
The party urged members to remain calm, confident that “no amount of propaganda” would undermine its commitment to Zamfara’s development. The statement concluded with a pledge to pursue legal redress while awaiting Kaura’s evidence to support the grave allegations.
