Arewa Group Accuses Matawalle Of Instigating Smear Campaign Against Zamfara Governor

The Arewa Integrity League has accused Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of orchestrating a deliberate media smear campaign against the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.

A statement issued on Friday by the Spokesman of the group, Comrade Musa Garba, alleged that Matawalle has manipulated false reports to implicate the Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru in criminal activities allegedly tied to his former aide, Bashir Hadeja.

Garba said: “Matawalle stands accused of orchestrating a false report linking Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Dare, former NSA, Aliyu Gusau, and Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru to the alleged criminal activities of his former aide, Bashir Hadeja.

“Bashir, who for many years managed Matawalle’s Gold mining site deals in Zamfara as his Special Assistant, was recently embroiled in a Matawalle family feud. This context raises suspicions about Matawalle’s motives.”

The group noted that Matawalle has been at loggerheads with Governor Dare and former NSA Gusau for years, with tensions escalating in recent weeks.

“By roping in Defence Minister Badaru, Matawalle aimed to create confusion and falsely implicate him in the scandal. Matawalle’s cheap media antics are well-known,” the group stated.

The group warned Nigerians to be cautious of Matawalle’s misinformation tactics, exposing his plan to use Hadeja’s situation to tarnish the reputations of his adversaries.

It added that the former NSA Gusau is “More sophisticated, beyond Matawalle’s smear campaign and no Nigerian would believe Matawalle’s media campaign against the man.