2 months ago
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A group of professionals under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party Professionals Support Movement Group has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and stop the Minister of State Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, from harassing and intimidating PDP leaders and supporters in the North, particularly in the North-west.
The group’s chairman, Dr. Muazzam Lawal Sadauki (Yariman Bukkur) made the call while addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday. He described Matawalle’s actions as “uncalled for” and “political persecution.”
This is just as Suleiman Shinkafi Shuaibu, an aide to the Minister of State for Defence, denied allegations of “harassing leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the North-west levelled against my principal.”
In an exclusive interview with Arewa PUNCH, a Watawalle statement issued by his aide, Shuaibu Shinkafi, described the allegations as “false” and “an attempt to ridicule him (Minister).”
According to the group, Matawalle has been using his position to target PDP leaders, including former governors and serving governors, who are perceived as threats to Tinubu’s political ambition.
They alleged that Matawalle’s actions were part of a larger pattern of harassment and intimidation of PDP supporters and leaders since the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria solidarity rallies.
The PDP Professionals Support Movement Group demanded that President Tinubu direct Matawalle to focus on his work and deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians rather than engaging in political harassment and intimidation.
The group also called on the president to ensure that his government respects the rule of law and protects the rights of all citizens.
The group’s chairman said, “the minister of state for defence is becoming so restless and openly not forgiving anybody who plays opposition to President Tinubu-led administration even though he has a senior minister in the person of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru.
“We want to remind Mr. President to understand that government is about the people not on use of power to subdue or destroy oppositions because of political interest or alliance.
“We believe that former Zamfara governor and now Minister of Defence Bello Matawalle is becoming desperate to destroy or persecute anybody perceived to be a threat to Mr. President’s political ambition ahead of 2027.”
Sadauki further added that “Recently, we heard about the alleged accusation of implicating some of our party leaders with spurious accusations of collaboration with a man called Bashir Hadejia who is now under detention by the security agencies. Yet, some of our party elders are now under scrutiny to implicate them with his dubious activities, something we view as illegal.
“Though we are aware that Hadejia was a supporter and close associate of Zamfara State Governor, HE Dauda Lawal, and other party leaders in our region, that does not warrant or give the minister the right to intimidate or persecute them without due regard to the rule of law.
“Whoever knows Bashir Hadejia will undoubtedly testify that he is our bonafide member who has contributed immensely to the progress and development of our party, especially during the 2023 general elections.
“Therefore, the PDP cannot abandon or ignore him for now just because of unsubstantiated allegations of financing terrorism and treason.”
Meanwhile, the minister’s aide told Arewa PUNCH that there was no truth in the group’s claim, describing the allegations as “false” and “an attempt to ridicule him (minister)”
According to him, Matawalle’s duty as Minister of State for Defence is to protect the country and its territorial integrity, and he has not threatened or harassed any PDP leader.
The minister’s aide emphasised that while Matawalle would not hesitate to take action against anyone who threatens the country’s territorial integrity, he would never harass or intimidate anyone for political reasons.
He insisted that his principal was answerable to President Tinubu and would do everything to protect the president and the country, “but he will never engage in harassment or intimidation.”
He stressed, “The Minister has not harassed any PDP leaders in the North, let alone in the North-west.
“His duty as the Minister of State for Defence is to protect the country. He did not threaten or harass PDP leaders and will never do so.
“But they must not cross the red line because as a Minister of Defence, he will protect whatever that will impinge on the territorial integrity of the country.
“The Minister is answerable to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the president is like an institution. So, he can do everything to protect the president.
“We can not fold our arms and see them molesting the president. Matawalle did not harass anybody. It’s just an attempt to ridicule him. It’s uncalled for to say the Minister is threatening or harassing PDP leaders,” Shinkafi insisted.
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