ZAMFARA APC CONDEMNS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MATAWALLE, MOVES TO SUE GOVERNOR’S SPOKESMAN MUSTAPHA KAURA 12-06-25
By Sadiq Aminu. Governor’s Aide Dismisses APC Allegations as Baseless.
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the leadership of its Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, has held an emergency State Working Committee (SWC) meeting to address what it described as continued provocations by the spokesperson to the state governor, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC condemned what it called malicious falsehoods being spread by the Zamfara State Government against its leaders, particularly the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
The party expressed strong disapproval of Mustapha Kaura’s recent statements, accusing him of engaging in character assassination, direct abuse, and targeted attacks on key APC figures including Minister Matawalle and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to the APC in Zamfara State, the party can no longer tolerate the deliberate campaign of calumny being waged by Mustapha Kaura against it leaders.
“The APC was particularly incensed by Kaura’s allegation that the December 11, 2020 abduction of over 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in neighboring Katsina State, was carried out with the alleged collaboration of former Governor Matawalle and armed bandits.
According to the statement, the party will take legal action, compelling Kaura to provide evidence for his claims.
“Kaura had also alleged that Matawalle received N300 million from former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, to facilitate the release of the kidnapped students, out of which only N30 million was purportedly paid to the criminals. The APC described the claims as baseless and defamatory, vowing to seek legal redress”
The statement emphasized that, during Matawalle’s tenure as governor, his administration combated banditry head-on and provided timely support to affected communities.
It also cited several successful rescue operations, including the February 26, 2021 abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe; students from Kaya in Maradun LGA; and those from the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura.
The party also revealed it is considering joining Maibiredi TV, the platform used for the controversial interview, in the lawsuit, alleging that the interview appeared scripted with a clear agenda to discredit APC leaders.
The APC urged its members and supporters to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course. It also called on Dr. Bello Matawalle not to interfere in the party’s legal steps, stressing that justice must prevail.
The statement concluded by accusing the PDP-led government of attempting to divert public attention from its failure in addressing the rising insecurity under Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration.
Responding via telephone, the Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura dismissed the recent statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as baseless, untrue, and unfounded.
Kaura was reacting to the APC’s claims, said, “If they have any substantial evidence against the accused, they should present it. Otherwise, I consider this a mere political brouhaha aimed at discrediting the responsible administration of Governor Dauda Lawal, which remains firmly focused on implementing its six-point agenda.”
He further alleged that, certain political elements are uncomfortable with the developmental strides being recorded under Governor Lawal’s leadership and are resorting to character assassination in an attempt to distract the government.
Commenting on an interview he granted to an online TV station, Kaura said it was a routine engagement, emphasizing that, he frequently speaks to media organizations both within and outside Zamfara State.
“I don’t see anything special about that interview. I was merely responding to baseless allegations made by former Governor Bello Matawalle against my principal. It would be irresponsible for me, as the Governor’s image maker, to remain silent in the face of such defamatory statements.”
Kaura maintained that the administration of Dr. Dauda Lawal is committed to good governance and will not be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attacks.