AbdulAziz Na’ibi Abubakar’s opinion piece, “Why Matawalle’s Appointment Hinders Security in Zamfara State,” is nothing short of a desperate attempt to shift blame for a failing administration onto someone who is no longer in the state government but remains a threat politically because he delivers results.
Let’s be clear: Bello Matawalle is not the problem. The real issue is a governor who lacks the courage, strategy, and grassroots credibility to confront the monstrous insecurity plaguing Zamfara. And instead of addressing his shortcomings, Dauda Lawal’s media team and sympathizers now find comfort in scapegoating Matawalle because they are afraid of what he still represents: leadership with spine.
It is laughable to suggest that Matawalle’s ambition disqualifies him from serving as Minister of State for Defence. If ambition is a crime, then Governor Dauda Lawal, a man who spent millions buying his way into office should be in the dock too. Matawalle’s ambition isn’t the problem; it is Dauda’s insecurity about that ambition that is choking progress in Zamfara.
When bandits attack Zamfara, it is Governor Lawal who is supposed to coordinate state-level response, mobilize local intelligence, and work with the federal government but all he does is issue press releases and blame Matawalle. And now, because Matawalle is serving Nigeria at the national level, he becomes the convenient punching bag? Nonsense.
Let’s not forget that during Matawalle’s tenure as governor, he took bold, controversial steps to confront banditry head-on. He was on the ground. He engaged. He took risks. He understood the terrain and wasn’t running to Lagos or Dubai every weekend. Now we have a governor who appears more invested in photo ops than field operations.
As for the accusation that Matawalle’s “supporters” are using terror attacks to score political points, if people are frustrated with the governor’s incompetence, should they keep quiet because it’s politically incorrect to demand results? This is democracy, not a dictatorship of incompetence.
Instead of calling for Matawalle’s removal, the Presidency should empower him even more. We need strong men at the helm of national security.
Zamfara doesn’t need less of Matawalle, it needs more leaders like him. If Dauda Lawal cannot handle the heat, he should resign and allow someone with grit and vision to do the job.
Abdulwali Anwar Tahir writes from Abuja.
28th May, 2025
