The Ambassadors for Peace and Progress (APP) has appealed to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to forgive the five individuals who publicly confessed to running a N500 million smear campaign against him while he was governor of Zamfara State.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of the group, Rev. Matthew Adejoh, urged the minister not to allow the painful betrayal to distract him from the critical national assignment entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We followed with deep emotion the courageous confession made by Comrade Aryan Abdul Kareem and his colleagues. Their admission has exposed the depth of political desperation in Zamfara State, but it has also opened a rare door for healing and reconciliation,” Rev. Adejoh said.
Describing Dr. Matawalle as “a peaceful, kind and large-hearted leader who is a friend to everyone,” the cleric appealed to him to extend the same hand of fellowship he has always shown to people of all faiths.
“Dr. Bello Matawalle is known across the North as a man who builds bridges, not walls,” he said. Quoting Colossians 3:13, he added: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
“These young men have fallen on their knees in public and begged for mercy. As believers and as patriots, we plead with His Excellency to forgive them and everyone who was paid to destroy his name.
The bandits ravaging our region do not read sponsored articles — they only respect superior resolve and unity of purpose.”
The Ambassadors praised President Tinubu for appointing Matawalle, saying the elevation was divine recompense for years of wicked blackmail.
“Your enemies spent over half a billion naira to pull you down, yet Allah raised you to the very centre of Nigeria’s war against terror. Let this confession be the final burial of that evil plot,” Rev. Adejoh declared.
While calling on the EFCC, ICPC and security agencies to immediately investigate the allegation that Zamfara State funds were used to sponsor media attacks, the group insisted that Dr. Matawalle himself should choose the path of forgiveness.
“Let justice run its full course, but let our dear Minister show the maturity, kindness and large-heartedness that made President Tinubu bring him to Abuja. Forgive them, Your Excellency. Focus all your energy on helping Mr. President end insecurity forever. That is the greatest victory.”