The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over the planned visit of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to the state.
In a statement released in Gusau on Monday, APC State Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, said the PDP’s opposition to Matawalle’s visit showed that the ruling party was worried and unsettled.
According to Idris, “The ruling PDP in Zamfara State is confused, disjointed and afraid. At every turn, its members, including highly placed individuals and supporters, continue to leave the party due to its non-performance.”
He dismissed a statement reportedly made by PDP’s spokesperson, Halliru Andi, who urged the minister to cancel his visit and stay at his duty post in Abuja. Idris maintained that Matawalle, as a federal appointee, has the constitutional right to visit any part of Nigeria, including his home state.
He explained that the minister had previously operated from Sokoto State on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive after Governor Dauda Lawal allegedly prevented him from functioning in Zamfara.
Idris said the planned visit may have sent shivers through the ranks of the PDP, but insisted it would go ahead with the Presidency’s approval.
“As a citizen of Zamfara State and leader of the APC in the state, he has every right to visit his people, his party and his supporters,” he said.
Idris also accused the PDP of hypocrisy, saying the party had earlier criticised citizens who visited Matawalle in Abuja and was now trying to interfere again in his personal and political activities.
He said the APC was ready to welcome the minister and expressed confidence that more PDP members would soon defect to the ruling party.
The APC spokesperson further called on the PDP-led government to focus on governance and urged Governor Lawal to address the state’s worsening insecurity.
He accused the governor of abandoning the state during crises, alleging that he travelled abroad for his son’s graduation while several communities in Zamfara were under attack.