Matawalle was never defeated — he was denied: APC group tackles Dauda Lawal

The All Progressive Congress ( APC) Supporters group in Zamfara
has claimed that former Governor Bello Matawalle was not defeated in the 2023 governorship election, but was deliberately denied victory through what it described as “calculated political sabotage”.

The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Kamal Ibrahim Gusau, accused Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of exploiting federal connections to manipulate the election outcome.

According to group, Matawalle’s loss was not a result of poor performance or unpopularity, but a fallout of his bold opposition to the controversial naira redesign policy introduced by the previous federal administration.

“Matawalle didn’t lose the election. He was punished for speaking out while others kept quiet,” Gusau said.

The group alleged that top figures in Abuja, particularly the former Attorney General of the Federation, were angered by Matawalle’s defiance and resolved to use “federal might” to block his re-election.

It described widespread irregularities during the election, claiming that over 200,000 votes, including 95,000 from Matawalle’s own constituency, were cancelled or left uncounted.

They said INEC had initially planned to continue collation the next day but abruptly halted the process, allegedly under instruction from Abuja, before declaring Dauda Lawal as winner.

“What played out in Zamfara was not democracy. It was a coup against the will of the people.

“The extent of electoral injustice was glaring on election day. Thousands of votes believed to be in Matawalle’s favour were suspiciously cancelled, while over 200,000 votes were entirely left uncounted.

” Out of these, a staggering 95,000 came directly from Matawalle’s own constituency—his political base.

“Another 65,000 votes were from just four wards in Birnin Magaji, also widely known to be strongholds of Matawalle.”

It also dismissed Governor Dauda’s repeated verbal attacks on Matawalle as signs of political insecurity and fear of facing him again at the ballot box.

The group alleged that Dauda is now plotting a return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shield himself from a direct confrontation with the former governor in the next election.

Gusau described Matawalle as a political gladiator with deep grassroots connections, unlike Dauda, whom they labelled a political newcomer with shallow influence.

The group urged the people of Zamfara to remember what they called the injustice of 2023 and prepare to correct it in the next electoral cycle.