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Tag: Bello Matawalle

  • Gov Matawalle appoints 169 aides, others

    Gov Matawalle appoints 169 aides, others

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the appointment of additional 169 top government officials and aides, in a bid to promote unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    This is contained in a nine-page official document issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, on Saturday in Gusau.

    He announced that Alhaji Isha Umar had been appointed Chairman, Zamfara Independent Electoral Commission, while Alhaji Usman Magami and Alhaji Bashir Abdullahi appointed as Special Advisers.

    Others are 103 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), 28 Directors General, and 13 Special Assistants to the governor.

    The list also included 10 new Permanent Commissioners and part-time members of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Hajj Commission and Law Reform Commission, among others.

    The SSG said the appointments are with immediate effect.

    The development came barely two months after the three, hitherto, APC camps led by Matawalle, former governor, Abdulaziz Yari and former Sen. Kabiru Marafa, agreed to work together for the success of the party in the 2023 general elections.

    Sequel to the reconciliation, Yari and Marafa clinched APC ticket for Zamfara West and Central Senatorial elections, respectively.

  • Zamfara govt declares work-free week for PVC registration

    Zamfara govt declares work-free week for PVC registration

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has declared a work-free week to enable public and civil servants to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs).

    The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Gusau.

    “This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has declared next week, Monday to Friday June 20 to 24, as work-free week.

    “This is to enable the state public and civil servants to go to their respective localities to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    “By this announcement, all Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, other public office holders, party officials, and traditional rulers are hereby directed to monitor and supervise the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise,”

    According to him, the community leaders are expected to ensure that eligible voters within their wards and local government areas register and obtain their PVCs.

    ‘This, he said is to enable them to exercise their fundamental rights and civic responsibilities.

  • Powerful indigenes are behind banditry in Zamfara – Matawalle

    Powerful indigenes are behind banditry in Zamfara – Matawalle

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has revealed that the respected and powerful people are sponsors of attacks and killings in the state.

    Zamfara State has suffered a series of bandit attacks in recent times.

    On Tuesday, April 12, bandits abducted five female students of the College of Health Science and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.

    Reacting, the state governor, Matawalle said the bandits are sponsored by powerful men.

    He also alleged that residents of the state have been recruited by bandits as informants.

    Zailani Bappa, a media aide to the governor, quoted the governor as saying in a statement: “Strong facts indicate that the recurrence of banditry in the state is aided and abetted mostly by powerful indigenes. Some of these people are strong personalities who the people respect.

    “There are also, among the generality of the people who receive paltry sums of money to serve as informants to bandits.”

    Matawalle said it was for the above reason that political appointees in the state were directed to swear by the Quran while taking the oath of office.

    However, he noted that some top politicians in the state declined to use the Quran to swear an oath.

  • Matawalle cautions APC governors over party crisis

    Matawalle cautions APC governors over party crisis

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has cautioned All Progressives Congress (APC) governors against unguarded statements over the party’s crisis.

    Matawalle said this in a statement by Mr Zailani Bappa, his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications on Friday in Gusau.

    “It is not right for us to wash our dirty linens in the media, especially at this critical time of the party’s transformation as we move towards a decisive period in 2023.

    “I believe that each of us has been trying his best in his way to move the interest of our great party forward.

    “His Excellency, Gov. Mai Mala Buni has no doubt, contributed immensely to the promotion of the party’s fortunes and indeed all other governors who disagreed with one another.

    “However, we all disagree to agree. That is the beauty of democracy. There is no point in promoting disharmony among ourselves after disagreements are settled,” he said.

    Matawalle added: ”It is not wise to drag the name of His Excellency, Mr President into taking sides on issues that are ordinarily a normal political misunderstanding common to every collection of interests

    “Now, more than ever before, the party needs the strength and unity to face the challenges ahead as we move towards the critical period of elections of which the party must maintain its supremacy at all levels.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his fatherly role in the party’s affairs.
    Matawalle applauded his colleagues for their contributions to the success of the party.

    “Together as one, we shall continue to conquer and prosper,” he said.

    Matawalle expressed reservation over alleged use of unprintable words by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state against his colleagues over the party’s crisis.

  • Defection: All set to adopt final address in suit to remove Matawalle as Governor

    Defection: All set to adopt final address in suit to remove Matawalle as Governor

    All is now set for a Federal High Court, Abuja to adopt the final written addresses in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove Bello Matawalle as Governor of Zamfara State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday fixed April 8 for the adoption of final written addresses in the suit against Matawalle and others, after parties in the suit confirmed joining issues with one another.

    The PDP is praying the court for an order to remove Matawalle as Governor of Zamfar over his defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party also asked the court to sack the Senators, House of Representatives members and State House of Assembly’s members, who decamped alongside the Governor to APC.

    Counsel for the PDP (plaintiff), Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, confirmed that all his processes had been filed and served on all the defendants. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who is the lawyer to the Governor and 34 others, also spoke in the same vein.

    Lawyers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC, which are defendants in the suit informed that they had also joined issues in the matter.

    Justice Ekwo said that with the completion of the exchange of processes by parties, the stage was set for a definite hearing of all pending motions along with the substantive matter.

    He announced that all processes would be adopted on April 8 after which a date for judgment would be fixed. The judge warned that any counsel who failed to be in court on the adjourned date would have his papers deemed adopted.

  • Matawalle swears in Nasiha as Zamfara’s Deputy Governor

    Matawalle swears in Nasiha as Zamfara’s Deputy Governor

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara on Wednesday swore-in Sen. Hassan Nasiha as the state new deputy governor, following the impeachment of Mahdi Aliyu by the State House of Assembly.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Gusau, Matawalle said that the action was to fill the vacuum created by Aliyu’s exit.

    He said that a deputy governor must be vibrant, honest and loyal to the goals of any administration.

    Matawalle said that Nasiha was selected after a wide consultation among stakeholders in the state, describing him as most qualified for the office of the state deputy governor.

    He, however, reminded the new deputy governor that he was appointed at a time when the state required commitment and out-of-box solutions to tackle security, economic and social challenges facing it.

    The governor advised him to abide strictly by the Constitutional provisions guiding the operations of his office.
    Speaking, Nasiha affirmed his loyalty to the governor and his administration.

    He promised to work towards the success of the administration especially in the areas of human capital development.

    “I am very much aware of the state challenges, particularly that of insecurity, I will support the governor’s policies and programmes aimed at bringing peace and development to the state.

    “I promise total loyalty to the governor to enable him achieve good governance in the state.

    “No doubt my appointment as deputy governor is a trust, I am therefore, appealing to public to pray for me in discharging the duty,” he said.

    Nasiha, 62, was Senator representing Zamfara Central at the National Assembly before his appointment.

    He was also the immediate past caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

  • Senator Hassan nominated as Zamfara Deputy Governor

    Senator Hassan nominated as Zamfara Deputy Governor

    Senator Muhammad Hassan Nasiha has been nominated as the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Hassan was nominated hours after Mahdi Gusau was impeached as Deputy Governor on Wednesday by the Zamfara State House of Assembly.

    The nomination of Hassan was contained in a letter from the State Governor Bello Matawalle that was read at resumed sitting by the Speaker of the House, Nasiru Mua’zu.

    TNG reports Senator Hassan is representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District.

    The Zamfara House of Assembly impeached the State Deputy Governor from office, following the adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Faruku Dosara (APC -Maradun 1) at plenary in Gusau.

    The motion came shortly after the House adopted the report of Justice Haladu Tanko panel which investigated alleged cross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

    Speaker Muazu, who presided over the sitting, directed the Clerk Saidu Anka, to conduct a voice vote on the impeachment of deputy governor Mahadi Aliyu from office.

    Twenty out of the 22 lawmakers present, voted in favour of the impeachment and the deputy governor was pronounced impeached.

    The House had at its sitting on Feb. 7, served the Aliyu with a Notice of Impeachment over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    The state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, also on Feb. 14, inaugurated an investigative panel on the deputy governor following a request by the lawmakers on Feb. 10.

  • Court strikes out suit against Gov Matawalle’s defection to APC

    Court strikes out suit against Gov Matawalle’s defection to APC

    Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara, on Monday struck out the suit filed against Gov Bello Matawalle and four others for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2021.

    Justice Aminu Bappah Aliyu while ruling on the suit on Monday said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

    The organising summons in the suit no FHC/GS/CS/14/2021 was filed by one Alhaji Bashir Saleh, Ibrahim Muhammed Turaki and Andulhamid Haruna in the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara.

    The plaintiffs had prayed the court to declare that the first and second defendants, Gov Bello Matawalle and Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu Gusau who won the election on the platform of PDP to vacate office following their defection to the APC on June 29, 2021.

    The plaintiffs, through their counsel, J. C Shaka, however, amended the originating summon and excluded the second defendant and deputy governor for remaining in the PDP.

    The plaintiffs had joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Attorney General of the Federation as third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively in the suit.

    They had asked the court to restrain the fourth and fifth defendants from recognizing and dealing the first and second defendants among other prayers.

    In his ruling, Aliyu, said that the original summons filed by the plaintiffs lacked merit as the matter before the court was neither election matter nor election process.

    Aliyu ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

    He further ruled that the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria did not, in any way, prohibit any person from joining any association or political party of his choice.

    Aliyu said it was only an election tribunal or state House of Assembly that could remove a governor from office.

    The court, therefore, awarded the cost of N1m to each of the defendants to be paid by the plaintiffs.

    Mike Ezeokhome, SAN who represented the Gov Matawalle and the APC commended the court for ruling in favour of his clients, while J.C Shaka said the plaintiffs would study the judgement for further action.

  • Buhari shelves Zamfara’s visit over poor weather

    Buhari shelves Zamfara’s visit over poor weather

    President Muhammadu Buhari has rescheduled his one-day working visit to Zamfara, due to bad weather condition, an official has said.

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, said this when he spoke with newsmen in Gusau on Thursday, saying the president’s plane could not land at the 207 Quick Response Unit of Nigerian Air Force, Gusau, due to poor visibility.

    Matawalle said Buhari was originally scheduled to arrive Gusau aboard a helicopter after an official visit to Sokoto, saying however, that the trip was cancelled due to poor visibility.

    “Mr president has spoken to me and asked me to convey his apology to the good people of the state.

    “The president said he would reschedule his visit to the state for next week and a date would be communicated to us in due course,” he said.

    The governor said that security chiefs who were billed to receive the President in Gusau were also stranded in Katsina due to bad weather.

    “The chiefs are currently in Katsina but can’t fly to Zamfara for the same reason.

    “Based on this, we are extending our apologies to the good people of the state over the postponement for reason beyond our control.

    “We thank Mr President for his love for the state,” Matawalle said.

    The President was expected in the state on a working visit to commiserate with the victims of Jan. 5 bandits’ attack which affected eight communities in Anka and Bukuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of the state among others.

  • BREAKING: Uzodinma appoints Zamfara Commissioner as Commissioner in Imo

    BREAKING: Uzodinma appoints Zamfara Commissioner as Commissioner in Imo

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has appointed the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs in Zamfara State, Hajiya Rabi Shinkafi as a Commissioner in his State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shinkafi resigned her Commissioner position in Zamfara to take up the appointment by Governor Uzodinma in Imo.

    According to Shinkafi, both Gov. Hope Uzodinma and his Zamfara counterpart, Governor Bello Matawalle discussed it as fellow All Progressives Congress (APC) governors before the appointment in Imo happened.

    “I resigned my appointment as commissioner in Zamfara to enable me to pick another appointment as commissioner in Imo.

    “I am immensely grateful to Gov. Bello Matawalle and his Wife, Hajiya Aisha Matawalle, for their kindness to me and for giving me the opportunity to serve Zamfara in different capacities.

    “All the speculations in the social media about my resignation are completely false; it was just work of mischief makers.

    “I have a perfect and cordial relationship with the governor and his wife. I consider them as my family and they were in the picture of my going to Imo.

    “Both Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo and Matawalle discussed it as fellow All Progressives Congress governors and as friends too,’’ Shinkafi said.