Tag: Gov Matawalle

“EFCC chairman demanded $2m bribe from me” – Matawalle

Aminu Imam

… “No human being is 100 percent clean”, Bawa replies Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that he is facing persecution by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, because he refused to give him $2 million bribe. Recall that on Thursday, the anti-graft agency revealed that Matawalle is being investigated for allegedly diverting over N70 billion state funds. However, speaking during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, (BBC) Hausa yesterday, Matawalle denied embezzling the State funds. He said, “Investigations are good, and…

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“I’m tired of being Zamfara governor, says Matawalle

Aminu Imam

Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, has said he was weary of being governor of the state due to the incessant killings and kidnappings by terrorists. The governor stated this during an interview with German DW Hausa programme on Tuesday, while reacting to his defeat at the polls, said, “For a very long time, I got fed up with the power, due to what was happening in the State. I tried my best to address the security situation, but it was beyond my powers; only God can end it”. Matawalle, who…

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Zamfara tenders apology, reverses order to shut down NTA, other private media houses

Aminu Imam

Zamfara State Government has apologised and reversed the order to shut down five broadcast stations in the State. The Government ordered the closure of some media houses in Gusau, the State capital, for providing coverage for a political rally organised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP). The affected media stations are the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Pride FM, Gamji TV, and FM, Al-Umma TV. The State governor, Bello Matawalle, also ordered the suspension of political meetings and activities in the affected communities. However, the Chairman of the State Committee…

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IPI Nigeria condemns Zamfara government’s shutdown of media organisations 

Aminu Imam

…Asks State governor to immediately rescind action The International Press Institute (IPI) in Nigeria has condemned the order by the Zamfara State government to shut down some media organisations operating in the State. The IPI Nigeria made this known in an issued statement signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, yesterday. The affected media houses are the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s (FRCN) Pride FM, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gamji Television, Vision FM and Al-Umma Television ) in Gusau, the state capital. Mojeed stated that the Zamfara State government does…

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Zamfara Govt shutdown all federal, private media houses for coverage of Zamfara PDP rally

Aminu Imam

Zamfara State Government has announced a shutdown of all Federal and private media houses in the State for covering the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)’s political rally. This is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara. The statement also directed the State Commissioner of Police to arrest all pressmen that attended the event organised by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare. The development was also announced by the State’s Commissioner via the local State-owned radio stations. The order affects Radio Nigeria, Pride FM,…

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Escalating Banditry: Zamfara Govt. announces total ‘lockdown’ in 3 LGAs

Aminu Imam

The Zamfara State government, yesterday announced a total lockdown in Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi Local Government Areas (LGAs), following the resurgence of bandit attacks on communities. This is contained in an issued statement by the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, in Gusau, the State capital. ”The Government announces a lockdown in nine major towns, Yarkofoji, Birnin-Tudu, Rini, Gora Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko and Mada, in order to stop the spate of the attacks on such communities in the affected areas. ”Government also announces the closing down of markets in…

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Zamfara Govt suspends Emir for giving ’notorious bandit leader’ chieftaincy title

Aminu Imam

The Zamfara State Government has suspended the Emir of Birnin ‘Yandoto, of Tsafe local government area, Aliyu Marafa, for conferring a chieftaincy title to a ‘notorious bandit leader’. The Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Sardauna, announced the suspension in a statement yesterday. Aliero was turbaned as Sarkin Fulani (Chief of Fulani) of ‘Yandoto Emirate by the Emir. News of the turbaning ceremony along with photos went viral, generating outcry and outrage. Apart from suspending the emir, Governor Bello Matawalle approved the appointment of a Committee to investigate the circumstances…

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Matawalle’s Defection to APC: “He’s like one running from death but lands in coffin” – Sule Lamido

Aminu Imam

Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, has been in the news lately, following his recent calls for the Citizens of the State to bear arms in the wake of the senseless killing of innocent citizens and residents of the State. Recall that after becoming governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, the Matawalle in July 2021 defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC). Although the PDP threatened to retrieve their “stolen” mandate from the ruling party, the governor defended his move, saying Zamfara needed to…

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Self Defence Call: Matawalle dares Defence Chief, Police, insists residents must carry guns against terrorists

Aminu Imam

Despite the reservation by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor, Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle have insisted that there is no going back on his directive to the State residents to acquire arms and defend themselves against bandits. Recall that yesterday, he went a step further by inaugurating four committees to implement all strategies designed by his administration to counter banditry and restore peace to the State. The committees are Intelligence Gathering on Banditry, Community Protection Guards (CPG), Prosecution of Banditry-Related Offences, and State Security Standing Panel. The Governor…

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Self Defense Call: “Zamfara govt’s directive means we’ve no govt in Nigeria anymore” – MBF laments

Aminu Imam

The Middle-Belt Forum, (MBF), has said the recent directive by the Zamfara State Government to the people of the State to get arms to defend themselves is an indication that Nigerians have no government anymore. The National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who made the assertion yesterday, in Makurdi, said the directive was a precursor to what would happen in other parts of the country since Nigeria had fallen apart and the people were left with no other choice but to resort to self-help. He said: “The directive by…

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