The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, pressured the state government to negotiate with bandits.

In a statement issued by APC’s Publicity Secretary, Mallam Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party dismissed the allegations as unfounded. The APC criticized the current PDP-led administration under Governor Dauda Lawal for blaming the previous APC government for its own failures to meet campaign promises, despite being in office for over a year.

The APC statement pointed out that during the campaign, the Dauda administration had promised to tackle banditry and other security issues within the first few months in office. However, according to the APC, the current government has not only failed to deliver but is now blaming the APC for its shortcomings.

The APC also referenced a memo that allegedly surfaced, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, which purportedly requested Governor Lawal’s approval for a settlement of over N1 billion for bandits and journalists. The APC suggested that even if the document was genuine, it might not have originated from the APC, and could instead be an attempt by the current government to shift blame.

The statement criticized Governor Lawal for rejecting reconciliation strategies previously used by Matawalle, which had reportedly reduced bandit activities. The APC accused the current government of undermining federal efforts to combat banditry and failing to address ongoing attacks, kidnappings, and threats in the state.

The APC also questioned the government’s handling of the State Security Trust Fund and its response to the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are reportedly suffering due to inadequate state support.

The statement concluded by condemning the PDP administration for allegedly neglecting its primary responsibilities and focusing on political maneuvers rather than effective action to address the state’s security challenges.