Zamfara Group lauds Tinubu over appointment of Ex-Governor Matawalle
Zamfara State Patriotic Political Class on Sunday has lauded President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle.
According to a press statement obtained by PERISCOPE NIGERIA, which was signed by Bilal Shehu Umar, State Chairman; and Kabiru Ibrahim Garba, State Secretary.
Our correspondent reports that Matawalle was designated by the President as Minister of State for Defence.
The statement titled ‘wholehearted commendation to President Tinubu over matawalle’s ministerial appointment’, lauded the country’s leader for his foresight, adding that the ex-Zamfara helmsman has earned from the labour of his hard work.
The statement partly read, “We, of the above named organisation on behalf of the good people of Zamfara, wish to immensely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for choosing our amiable son, leader, former Governor, Hon. Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle MON to be in his cabinet representing the good people of Zamfara State
“The choice of Matawalle by the Jagaban as a Minister of Defence no doubt is a clear indication that the several methods he used in decimating armed banditry that bedevilled the state when he was the governor were carefully being watched by many well meaning Nigerians.
“Before becoming the governor of Zamfara, Matawalle had served as member House of Representatives during which he efficiently and effectively served as Chairman House Committee on National Security and Intelligence for good four years which saw a drastic reduction of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents to the gratitude and pride of the National Assembly.
“Bringing his wealth of experience to his home state of Zamfara as the governor and Chief Security Officer, Matawalle introduced peace dialogue with bandits in the state who had made life terribly unbearable most especially to the rural dwellers who were always either killed, maimed or kidnapped while their animals and foodstuffs were carted away or burned.”
While recalling the efforts of the ex-governor that brought about peace through dialogue, the group stated that many of the bandits surrendered their arms and ammunition as well as assisted security agents in tracking down unrepentant bandits, a situation which in turn forced many of them to either surrender or relocate elsewhere.
“He initiated and joined forces with his colleagues, the governors of neighboring Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kano states and even had to cross over to the neighboring Niger Republic and formed partnerships and alliances with support from the federal government and security agencies to disband hundreds of bandits camps and their occupants harbouring in the region.
“Matawalle was and has remained the first and only governor who initiated the RUGA settlement for Fulanis equipped with all social amenities including schools, hospitals, markets, police station, sources of good drinking water, modern pastures, improved grass feeds and other means of maintaining a good livestock with the view to keep the nomadic Fulanis in one place so as to reduce the fights characterized by lost of lives and property involving the nomadic Fulanis and other communities.
“It is, therefore, our strong believe that making Matawalle a Defence Minister is a round peg in a round hole, and it is going to be too bad for all criminals and crimes.
“We are very confident that Matawalle will be one of the best and fulfilling ministers in the Tinubu led administration and we shall continue to pray for him and the government for a successful, historic and people oriented administration,” the group’s statement added.