MATAWALLE: HURIWA condemns politically motivated allegations of terrorism, calls for investigation

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has risen in strong defense of Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense and former Governor of Zamfara State, amidst allegations of terrorism leveled against him by alleged bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji. HURIWA, in a media statement, vehemently condemned the claims as baseless and politically motivated, calling for an in-depth security investigation by the nation’s security services to identify and prosecute the politicians allegedly funding terrorism in Zamfara State.

HURIWA recalled a recent statement from the office of the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Matawalle, warning his political enemies to cease sponsoring a wanted bandit, Bello Turji, in a bid to tarnish his name and reputation. The Association highlighted that the statement specifically accused elements within the Zamfara State government of manipulating the narrative of insecurity challenges in the state against him, following the circulation of a viral video on social media linking Dr. Matawalle with banditry in Zamfara State.

“Dr. Matawalle firmly denied these allegations, attributing them to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration in the state, which he accused of plotting to discredit him. He underlined the unprofessional synchronization of Bello Turji’s audio and video clips, which he claimed were poorly edited to falsely accuse him of injustice during the reconciliation efforts by the then Zamfara State government,” HURIWA pointed out.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed grave concern over the malicious and unfounded allegations against Dr. Matawalle. The rights group believes that the allegations are part of a broader political strategy to undermine Matawalle. They alleged that certain politicians, threatened by his influence and integrity, have resorted to using an alleged outlaw like Turji to discredit him. HURIWA condemned this tactic as not only unethical but also dangerous, as it emboldens criminals and jeopardizes national security.

“It is disheartening and despicable that political opponents would go to such lengths to malign the character and integrity of Dr. Bello Matawalle. These baseless accusations are not only a personal attack on the Minister but also a direct threat to national security and public safety,” Onwubiko stated.

“The alleged bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji, in a video released on social media, accused Dr. Matawalle of mishandling the insecurity situation during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State. Turji claimed that Matawalle’s policies escalated banditry in the state and other northwestern regions. He alleged that Matawalle pampered a particular group of bandits, hosting them at the Government House without demanding that they surrender their weapons,” Onwubiko asserted.

HURIWA highlighted that these attacks on Dr. Matawalle escalated after he condemned Northern Elders sabotaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and soliciting their support. The association noted that libelous write-ups are being circulated to media houses to tarnish his image. HURIWA questioned how a wanted criminal could make a video broadcast and circulate it to the media without being tracked. Additionally, the association reported that protesters were allegedly mobilized to attack Dr. Matawalle’s residence in his village but were repelled by security personnel, terming this as “politics taken too far.”

HURIWA called on the security forces launch a comprehensive investigation into the politicians purportedly funding terrorism and manipulating narratives to tarnish Matawalle’s image. The association stressed that this political fight has been taken too far, risking the stability and security of the region, emphasizing that identifying and prosecuting those behind this smear campaign is essential to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s political and security systems.

“The involvement of an alleged known terrorist in a political smear campaign is a dangerous precedent that must be addressed immediately. We urge the security forces to identify and prosecute the political elements behind these nefarious activities.

“Dr. Matawalle, who served as Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023, has been recognized for his efforts in combating banditry and criminality in the state. After closing the amnesty window, his administration’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits demonstrated his commitment to restoring peace and security in Zamfara. The allegations by Bello Turji are false and a testament to the Minister’s unwavering resolve to tackle banditry head-on,” Onwubiko added.

HURIWA also highlighted the impeccable record of Dr. Matawalle’s ministerial nomination and confirmation process. “Dr. Matawalle received the required security clearance from relevant agencies before he was appointed Minister of State for Defense. This underscores his integrity and the baseless nature of the allegations against him,” the statement read.

Hence, the association urged the public to disregard the unprofessional and poorly produced audio-visual materials being circulated to tarnish Dr. Matawalle’s image. “It is evident that these materials are part of a coordinated effort to undermine the Minister’s credibility. We call on the public to see through these politically motivated attacks and stand with Dr. Matawalle in his continued service to the nation,” HURIWA advised.

HURIWA concluded by reiterating its call for a comprehensive investigation by security forces to bring to justice those responsible for using terrorism as a tool for political vendetta, stressing that by exposing and prosecuting those behind these baseless allegations, Nigeria can strengthen its fight against insecurity and uphold the rule of law.