TheNewsGuru

Tag: Governor Bello Matawalle

  • Crime Watch: Matawalle – Okowa differ on how citizens should defend themselves against criminals

    The Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and his Delta State Counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa have disagreed on how best Nigerian citizens should defend themselves against criminals in the country.

    While Zamfara has become a hotbed for kidnappers, bandits, cattle rustlers, terrorists and others, Delta is also rife with the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, insurrection among others.

    Matawalle has advocated the need for citizens to take up arms and defend themselves, but Okowa said his Zamfara counterpart spoke out of understandable frustration.

    Okowa faulted an initial proposition by Matawalle that state residents should bear firearms to defend themselves from terrorists.

    The Governor spoke to journalists on Thursday evening shortly after he met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his office at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

    Okowa faulted the idea by Matawalle, saying his idea came out of frustration, and that it would have telling consequences for the overall security of the region.

    “I think they need critical thinking because you have to also be in a position to examine the recommendations being made. When recommendations are made and you have not thought through it in full about the consequences of such, then it is also a problem.

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    “It is out of frustration that such recommendations are being made, not doubt. But when you ask everybody to carry guns, you must ask yourself, are Nigerians in the mindset where every single individual can carry his own gun? You will be surprised that with every little argument people will just snuff themselves out.

    “It’s a cause for concern when we hear that kind of recommendation. But the real thing is people are frustrated and he (Governor Matawalle) is also frustrated to the extent that he thinks that is the way to go. I don’t think that is the best recommendation at the moment,” he said.

    “I think we need to begin to look into many other things. Yes, as a quick one, he’s calling for that. But there will be consequences. But we need a long-term approach to deal with insecurity. We need to look at the foundation of the problems that we have. A lot of hunger, joblessness, a lot of people are losing hope. And when you look at all these issues, it brings a lot of frustration. So, we have to address it holistically,” he said.

    On the July 16th Osun governorship election, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate assured that his Party is prepared to take back the governorship seat.

    “A lot is being done. We look forward to the elections. I’m sure the APC would expect a stiff competition. We agree that they are the government in power in that state but they will be definitely expecting a very stiff competition from us. We are poised to take back that state,” Okowa firmly noted.

  • 102 Zamfara groups to purchase N50m nomination form for Matawalle

    102 Zamfara groups to purchase N50m nomination form for Matawalle

    Non – Governmental Organisations and groups, totaling 102 groups in Zamfara State have contributed the sum of N50 million to Governor Bello Matawalle to purchase the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship nomination form.

    This was contained in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Yusuf Idris and made available to the Newsguru.com.

    According to the statement, the cheque would be handed over to Governor Matawalle today (Friday) at the Government House in Gusau the state capital.

    ALSO READ: Powerful indigenes are behind banditry in Zamfara – Matawalle

    According to Idris, a grand rally would be organised by the state APC officials for the presentation of the N50 million cheque to the Governor.

    Idris said members of the party, supporters and well wishers would converge at the Gusau Eid praying ground by 8 o’clock in the morning on Friday for onward movement to the Government House, Gusau, for the presentation of the N50m cheque.

    According to him, “Having expressed confidence and satisfaction in the positively focused leadership of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, 102 groups jointly contributed the sum of N50 million with the aim of supporting the Governor for the purchase of the 2023 APC Governorship Nomination Form.

    “It is in the light of this that the APC in the state is inviting all party members, supporters and admirers to the formal presentation of the N50 million cheque to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, under the leadership of the state APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani.

    “All attendees are expected to gather at the Gusau Eid Praying Ground by 8:00 am on Friday, May 6, 2022, for onward movement and presentation of the form at the Government House, Gusau,” thenewsgiri.com was told.

  • Fani-Kayode confesses: How I facilitated defection of Ayade, Umahi, Matawalle; lists three more PDP govs joining APC soon

    Fani-Kayode confesses: How I facilitated defection of Ayade, Umahi, Matawalle; lists three more PDP govs joining APC soon

    Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former PDP chieftain was introduced to President Muhammadu Buhari as the newest member of the ruling party on Thursday during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He was led to the meeting with the President by the APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as well as Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.

    The Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, was also present at the meeting to introduce Fani-Kayode.

    Shortly after meeting with President Buhari, the new APC member had a session with State House correspondents where he claimed responsibility for the defection of three PDP governors who joined the ruling party – Governor Matawalle (Zamfara), as well as Governor David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Governor Ben Ayade (Cross River).

    Fani-Kayode, a former spokesman for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, said he was instrumental in the events that led to the defection of the three governors.

    He told State House correspondents that he had been a founding member of the APC and simply returned to the ruling party for the unity of the country.

    The former minister revealed that he was equally wooing three more governors in the main opposition party to join the ruling party.

    He listed them to include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Governor Ifeanyi Uguanyi of Enugu State.

    He said whatever opinion anyone may have about his credibility, as a result of his constant change of parties, was up to them.

    Fani-Kayode, a lawyer, used to be a strong critic of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He was the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 and 2006.

    Also in 2006, the new APC member served as the Minister of Culture and Tourism for a few months before he was later appointed as the Minister of Aviation later that year.

  • Matawalle orders indefinite closure of Zamfara schools after fresh abduction

    Matawalle orders indefinite closure of Zamfara schools after fresh abduction

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, on Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of primary and secondary schools in the state following the abduction of a yet-to-be ascertained the number of students in the state.

    The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, conveyed the governor’s directive while addressing journalists on the new security measures in the state.

    “I wish to inform the general public that His Excellency the executive governor of Zamfara State has ordered the closure of all schools within the state, both primary and secondary schools that are existing here are now closed with immediate effect,” the Commissioner said.

    The Zamfara State Government’s decision is indefinite, the commissioner added during the briefing in Gusau.

    “It’s a threat, you know the bandits will like to go back to kidnap these students, so for their safety the schools have to be closed until peace is restored in the state.”

    When asked how many students were abducted, the commissioner of police said, “I don’t know.”

    The government also restricted movement – from 6pm to 6am- in 13 local government areas. But for Gusau, the capital, movement restriction will be from 8pm to 6am.

    Gunmen had stormed the Kaya Day Secondary School in Maradun Local Government Area of the state and whisked away several students.

    The latest kidnap is happening five days after the students of the College Of Agriculture and Animal Science Bakura earlier abducted in the state regained their freedom

    Zamfara, just like other states in the northwest and north-central have been facing serious security challenges by bandits – believed to hole up in Rugu forest, which straddles Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states – to increasingly attacking schools, seizing students to extort ransom from parents.

    Kidnappings are just one of the challenges facing Nigeria’s security forces, who are battling a grinding Islamist insurgency in the northeast and separatist tensions in parts of the south.

    According to the UN, some 950 students have been kidnapped across Nigeria since December.

    While most of the hostages have been released after negotiations, some are still being held.

  • Matawalle’s deputy, one federal lawmaker stick with PDP as governor officially defects to APC

    Matawalle’s deputy, one federal lawmaker stick with PDP as governor officially defects to APC

    Governor Bello Matawalle has formally announced his defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara State.

    The governor joined the APC with all members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly Members. However, the state Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau and a representative from Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency refused leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the governor.

    Speaking at a rally on Tuesday in Gusau, Matawalle said that he had been nursing the ambition of leaving his party PDP for several reasons.

    “I am now the leader of APC in Zamfara state and I am ready to work with each and everyone wishing to contribute to the rapid development of the state”.

    The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni congratulates Matawalle for defecting to the party.

    Matawalle said based on the provision of the APC, Governor Bello Matawalle was now the leader of APC in Zamfara state

    He also announced that the state caretaker committee has been dissolved.

    “I also want to bring to your notice that as from today, the APC Caretaker committees of Zamfara state from the ward to the state level have been dissolved”.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the former Governor of the state, Abdul Aziz Yari welcomed Governor Bello Matawalle to APC, adding that, he was ready to give all necessary support and cooperation for Matawalle to succeed.

    “I want to bring to the notice of each and everyone in Zamfara state that, I am not in any way against the defection of Governor Matawalle to our great party”.

    “I was a Governor for two terms as such, I thank the Almighty Allah for giving the chance to lead my people for eight years”.

    The rally was attended by Governors of Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Ogun, Jigawa, Plateau, and Kebbi State, Secretary to the Government of Federation Boss Mustapha and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and others.