Since Bello Matawalle’s nomination as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023, Dauda Lawal, the Governor of Zamfara State, has been unsettled. Lawal’s gubernatorial victory, followed by success at the Election Petition Tribunal, hasn’t allowed him peaceful rest. He is aware that politically, Matawalle still holds significant influence in the state.
Dauda Lawal, recognizing that controlling Matawalle’s growing influence as Minister of State for Defence would be a challenge, devised new strategies. After his initial attempt to indict Matawalle through the cargo airport controversy failed, Lawal’s next move was to gather information from Matawalle’s former aides about his time in office. This culminated in the involvement of Bashir Hadejia, whose role we will explore further in this article.
The initial plan to discredit Matawalle’s achievements as Governor of Zamfara (2019-2023) fell flat. The citizens recognized Matawalle’s legacy, and Dauda Lawal had to rethink his approach.
Our sources suggest that Governor Lawal connected with Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the former Governor of Jigawa State and current Minister of Defence, to curtail Matawalle’s growing influence and favorable relationship with President Bola Tinubu. They also enlisted Jackson Ude, a controversial journalist known for blackmail. Ude, a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, has faced numerous lawsuits, including cases involving prominent figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Together with Lawal, Ude reportedly began pushing a narrative accusing Matawalle of supporting bandits and terrorists.
Matawalle’s growing stature as a key figure in Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the defense sector, has reportedly made Badaru uncomfortable. Many media sources indicate that the two Ministers contrast sharply in their leadership styles. Matawalle is known for his visibility and active encouragement of troops, while Badaru prefers a more reserved, taciturn approach. Reports suggest that Badaru, displeased with Tinubu’s choice to appoint Matawalle and exclude him from direct oversight of the Chiefs of Staff, aligned with Lawal to undermine Matawalle.
Our sources further revealed that Badaru and Lawal have joined forces to frustrate Matawalle within Tinubu’s government, with the aim of diminishing any potential achievements of both Matawalle and the administration.
Governor Lawal’s connections with bandit leaders, particularly Bello Turji, are well-known. Numerous sources have confirmed Lawal’s relationship with these criminals, suggesting that the governor has used Turji and other bandit leaders to maintain control over the mining sector in Zamfara. Turji and his associates, protected by Lawal, have allegedly been instrumental in keeping the governor’s grip on the state’s mining fields and collecting royalties for him. This might explain why some bandit leaders killed in military operations were rumored to have been safekeeping the governor’s illicit earnings.
The situation in Zamfara has only grown more complex, with powerful political figures, including a former NSA, allegedly involved in the mining business. These individuals reportedly use bandits to safeguard their interests in the sector, ensuring that government efforts to combat terrorism and lawlessness in the region are hampered.
Alarming Developments
The recruitment of Bashir Hadejia and Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru into this conspiracy adds a new, troubling dimension to an already localized problem. Hadejia, born in Niger Republic, is said to have deep connections there, much like Badaru. Having worked closely with Matawalle during his time as governor, Hadejia is well-versed in the former governor’s anti-bandit strategies. His involvement with Lawal in clandestine activities, including reportedly organizing anti-Nigerian protests in August, demonstrates the extent to which this group will go to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation and the Tinubu administration.
Together, Lawal, Badaru, and Ude are determined to control the narrative, flooding the media with unverifiable stories aimed at discrediting Matawalle. Their coordinated efforts reflect a broader attempt to maintain influence over Zamfara’s mining industry while undermining national security and the administration’s achievements.
These revelations point to a worrying reality in Zamfara, where powerful individuals, rather than supporting the military’s efforts, actively sabotage them for personal gain. This conspiracy, supported by bandits and political elites, not only poses a threat to the state but also undermines the broader security architecture of the country.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
