— Urges President Tinubu, Party Chairman to Call Defence Minister to Order
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain has sounded a stark warning, stating that the "divisive politics" of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, could cost the party Zamfara State again in the 2027 general elections and endanger President Bola Tinubu's victory in the North-West.
In a press statement, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a member of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Council 2023, urgently appealed to President Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to call the former Zamfara governor to order.
Shinkafi accused Matawalle of repeating the same "politics of bitterness and vendetta" that factionalized the party and led to his defeat as a sitting governor in the 2023 polls. Instead of working to unite and strengthen the APC, the Minister is allegedly "sowing seeds of discord" and attempting to hijack the party structure.
“It is worrisome that Matawalle, who ought to use his position to unite, stabilize and strengthen APC in Zamfara State, is the person causing disaffection amongst party members,” the statement read. “It is obvious that a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
The APC chieftain highlighted that Matawalle's actions have already led to the formation of factional party leaderships in the state, echoing the internal squabbles that cost the party the governorship seat.
Expressing further concern, Shinkafi condemned the use of the Minister's office for political gatherings, stating, “It is ignoble for a minister of the Federal Republic to turn his office to a personal campaign office... The military is the strength of the nation, its office should not be undermined by political actors at a time of serious security challenges.”
“This infantile politics must stop if APC should regain Zamfara State in 2027,” Shinkafi asserted. “A united APC will win Zamfara State in future elections. It is time to unite and work towards that. I urge Matawalle to face his official duties instead of dissipating energy and resources fighting imaginary political opponents within APC.”
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