Taiwo Popoola
A fresh political storm has erupted within the Zamfara State chapter of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) amid accusations that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, mismanaged party funds and made misleading claims regarding financial donations.
In a statement issued by the Zamfara APC Secretary, Hon. Mansur Aminu Khalifa, the party dismissed Matawalle’s claim of donating ₦500 million to APC supporters as a fabrication, challenging him to provide proof of how the funds were distributed. The statement accused Matawalle’s faction of peddling falsehoods to manipulate party members.
“The claim that Minister Matawalle donated ₦500 million to Zamfara APC supporters is misleading. Even Bashir Ataka, the former Welfare Secretary under Tukur Danfulani, has debunked this narrative,” the statement read.
The controversy within the state APC escalated further as Khalifa asserted that Tukur Danfulani, the current state chairman, was no longer recognized by the party, insisting that his suspension remains valid. Consequently, he declared all actions taken by Danfulani and his executives as illegitimate.
Beyond financial disputes, the party also accused Matawalle and his associates of diverting relief materials, including 12,000 bags of rice donated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to APC supporters in Zamfara. Additionally, allegations surfaced regarding the misappropriation of ₦50 million donated by President Tinubu for victims of armed banditry and fire disasters, with claims that the funds have not reached the intended beneficiaries.
The statement praised Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, a prominent APC leader in the state, for his unwavering support for party members and his contributions to President Tinubu’s 2023 election victory. It described Jaji as a key political force in Zamfara’s APC structure.
Further highlighting Matawalle’s diminishing influence, the statement referenced an incident in which his convoy was allegedly stoned by residents during his recent visit to Zamfara, underscoring the growing opposition to his leadership.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the statement warned that Matawalle’s political relevance in Zamfara was declining, urging President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to be wary of his actions.
Meanwhile, the party reaffirmed its support for the Isiyaka Ajiya Anka-led APC faction, emphasizing that it remains the legitimate leadership in Zamfara until a new congress is held.
As the battle for political dominance within the Zamfara APC intensifies, party factions continue to trade accusations, setting the stage for a prolonged power struggle in the state.
