The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized what it perceives as a malicious protest organized by certain anti-progressive individuals against the Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Bello Matawalle,leadership reports.
Adding weight to this assertion, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has alleged that the recent protests targeting the minister of state are part of a larger scheme aimed at thwarting President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027. Yerima Shettima, the President-General of AYCF, reiterated the organization’s concerns about a brewing conspiracy by disgruntled politicians to undermine President Tinubu.
In a statement released by its spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris, the APC denounced the protesters, largely comprising a rented crowd, who marched to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, demanding an investigation into the Minister. Idris dismissed the claims of the protesters as baseless, asserting that if there were any merit to the allegations, the EFCC would have already acted upon them.
ALSO READ: Some Influential Personalities Ganging Up Against My Govt — Kebbi Gov
Furthermore, the APC emphasized that the EFCC’s response to the protests underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating financial crimes impartially, without succumbing to personal vendettas or political pressure.
Idris pointed out that such protests have been orchestrated by Matawalle’s political rivals, often involving individuals unfamiliar with Zamfara or coerced into participation. He emphasized that these futile attempts to distract Matawalle from his national responsibilities will ultimately fail.
The statement urged Minister Matawalle to remain focused on his efforts to restore peace and security across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Shettima reiterated AYCF’s call for President Tinubu and his team to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to counter the efforts of disaffected politicians. He highlighted the importance of solidifying Tinubu’s support base in the North, with allies like Bello Matawalle playing a crucial role.
Shettima warned that the protests targeting Matawalle are part of a broader strategy to destabilize Tinubu’s support base in the North and undermine his presidential aspirations. He urged President Tinubu to take decisive action to protect his candidacy and ensure a fair electoral process.
In conclusion, Shettima stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against any attempts to undermine Tinubu’s candidacy and urged President Tinubu to uphold democratic principles while safeguarding his support base in the North.
