Northern Youths Decry Zamfara Gov’s Demand For Matawalle’s Resignation

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum has called for the resignation of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, over his recent allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Lawal, during a television programme, had asked Matawalle to step aside and clear his name on allegations of sponsoring bandits as well as money laundering while he served as the governor of the state.

Reacting to Lawal’s outburst, the AYCF said the governor, not Matawalle should resign “given the alarming evidence that has emerged of his involvement in financing terror groups operating within the region.”

The AYCF, in a statement by its President, Yerima Shettima, on Friday accused Lawal of providing funds for bandit leaders, including Bello Turji, Dogo Gide, Ado Aliero, Halilu Sububu, and Gwaska Karami.

The group alleged that the governor’s tenure had fostered “an environment where governance and criminality appear to overlap dangerously.”

“Should he (Lawal) fail to resign voluntarily, we advocate for the declaration of a total state of emergency in Zamfara State, which will entail the removal of Governor Lawal and the appointment of a military sole administrator,” AYCF said.