Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has retracted earlier press conference addressed where allegations were raised against former Governor of Zamfara State and serving Minister of State for Defense Bello Muhammed Matawalle, saying they were misled.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, Chairman of the group Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed said, he discovered that information presented before him by the opposition was targeted at smearing the image of Matawalle and therefore called on the general public to disregard information contained in the earlier press conference.
He had earlier called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to open investigation against the Minister on account of financial misappropriation when he served as Governor of Zamfara State.
But retracting the call, Mohammed said, "I wish to unequivocally state that, I was misled by the information presented to me, and the content of the press text was blown out of proportion, a political witch hunt, deliberately orchestrated and propagated by the opposition who are envious of the Minister's achievements, therefore dedicated to not only distracting him from diligently discharging his duties but also smearing his most respected and highly esteemed personality.
"It is on record that Honourable Bello Matawalle served Zamfara State superbly well with an unprecedented level of success, unwavering dedication, and loyalty to his people. His achievements have resonated in all sectors, from security, infrastructure, health, economy, and education.
"He oversaw the commencement of the construction of a new airport, a crucial step towards economic growth and improved connectivity for the state, construction of roads, and improved the state's water system".
He further said, the Minister made significant strides in security infrastructure by purchasing over 200 Hilux vehicles and ambulances and installing solar-powered street lights in the state capital adding that in the Healthcare sector also saw substantial investments, with the construction of special primary healthcare centers in all 147 wards in the states, general hospitals, and primary healthcare centers.
"His administration also settled backlogs of payments for NECO and WAEC examinations and focused on technology by establishing a Digital World ICT Center and a Command and Control Room in Gusau, thereby contributing to the economic development of the State".
Furthermore, Sani said, Matawalle's achievements as Governor of Zamfara State include renovating the State House of Assembly, constructing a governor's lodge in Kaduna, investing in liaison offices, including one in Abuja, and purchasing Best Premier Hotel in Abuja as a state investment.
" We call on the general public to focus on the achievements of Matawalle and disregard the toxic news that is circulated about him, they are just allegations and largely driven by political motives.
"I also wish to call on the general public to disregard such press conferences that may be addressed in the coming days, as it was gathered that the Zamfara State Government has allegedly released over two billion Naira for that purposes, all which is aimed at smearing the good image of the defence Minister whom he consider as a political threat to his reelection bid.
"Matawalle to the best of our knowledge did well as Governor and presently doing extremely well in the security sector towards actualizing the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.
"In conclusion, We deeply acknowledge and commend the efforts of this administration in restructuring and ultimately building a new Nigeria through the renewed hope agenda; we encourage the general public to queue in and make judicious use of the opportunities presented to them by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration" he stated.
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