Dauda Lawal: If I were Matawalle, I’d resign and face allegations against me

Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara state, says if he were Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, he would resign and work towards clearing his name.

Matawalle has been accused of having ties to bandits — an allegation he has since denied.

Speaking on Politics Tonight, a TVC programme on Wednesday night, Lawal said Matawalle’s resignation would be the most honourable thing to do given the weighty allegations against him.

Lawal succeeded Matawalle as Zamfara governor on May 29, 2023.

The governor detailed how the government house was allegedly used to pay ransom for abducted children of a permanent secretary in the state.

“If I were him I would resign and face all the allegations against me,” he said

“There was a permanent secretary, when his children were abducted… it was unfortunate that he had to pay ransom through the government house and it was also very clear from all the allegations that bandits were being kept at the government house.

“For me honestly, I will step aside and face this allegation until I clear my name before I come back and continue my job. That should have been honourable.

“How will he have all these allegations against him and he is still the minister of defence?”

Lawal also wondered how Matawalle was cleared by security agencies before his confirmation as minister.