A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the Tinubu–Shettima Presidential Council, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over what he described as divisive politics threatening the unity of the party in Zamfara State.
Shinkafi, who made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja under the aegis of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, also urged the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, to intervene before the situation worsens ahead of the 2027 general election.
He accused Matawalle of using his ministerial position to fuel disunity within the Zamfara APC, claiming that the minister’s alleged “divide-and-rule” tactics led to the party’s defeat in the 2023 governorship election.
“It is worrisome that Matawalle, who ought to use his position as Minister of State for Defence to unite the APC in Zamfara, is instead causing disaffection among members,” Shinkafi stated.
According to him, instead of spearheading a membership drive, Matawalle had been “busy chasing shadows” and using his office at the Ministry of Defence as a political base to receive defectors — a move he described as “morally wrong and politically outrageous.”
The former APGA national secretary disclosed that he had narrowly escaped two assassination attempts allegedly linked to political rivalries in the state, stressing that the escalating tension was a direct result of the minister’s actions.
“No serious Minister of State for Defence should abandon national security duties to engage in partisan politics. Matawalle should concentrate on tackling insurgency, terrorism and banditry rather than plotting political dominance in Zamfara,” Shinkafi said.
He further reminded Matawalle of his statutory duties as a defence minister, which include maintaining combat readiness of the armed forces, ensuring the welfare of personnel, and strengthening Nigeria’s defence industries through international cooperation.
The APC stalwart warned that unless the president and party leadership acted swiftly, internal wrangling could jeopardise the ruling party’s chances in Zamfara and the North-West in 2027.
“Having stepped on many toes as governor and minister, Matawalle should seek reconciliation and forgiveness. A united APC will reclaim Zamfara in future elections,” Shinkafi said.
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