The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the state government of allegedly using public resources to orchestrate campaigns against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

In a statement released on Sunday and signed by APC State Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party claimed that repeated denials by bandit leaders regarding any links to Matawalle suggest a deliberate political scheme targeting the former governor.

The APC alleged that, despite these denials, the Zamfara State Government under Governor Dauda Lawal has continued efforts to associate Matawalle with banditry and insecurity in the North. The party claimed the aim is to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into removing him from office.

The statement referenced video recordings in which bandit leader Bello Turji denied ever receiving support from Matawalle, whether during his tenure as governor or as a minister. The APC further alleged that individuals stationed across Northern and parts of Southern Nigeria were spreading similar narratives, with at least one admitting to receiving funds from the state government.

The party also raised concerns about the release of Musa Kamarawa, a suspected bandit arrested during Matawalle’s governorship for alleged gun-running and banditry-related offenses. APC urged security agencies, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and civil society groups to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kamarawa’s release, claiming his case was still pending.

Rejecting all claims linking Matawalle to criminal elements, the APC emphasized that appointments to sensitive national offices are subject to rigorous security clearance by relevant authorities.