A former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda to call the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to order over his alleged divisive politics in the state that led to the party’s defeat in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Shinfaki in a statement on Friday, warned that the APC would be heading for another defeat in the state heading if the Minister does not put to an end what he describes as the divide-and-rule tactic of the former government forcing some prominent politicians to leave the party.
The APC chieftain accused the Minister of turning his ministerial office to his governorship campaign office where he receives fellow APC members who switched from one leader’s camp to his camp.
The APC chieftain, who was a member, Tinubu – Shettima Presidential Campaign Council 2023, said that Matawalle has been dissipating energy and resources fighting prominent leaders of the party in the state in an attempt to hijack all party structures and continue his divide-and-rule tactic.
“It is worrisome that Matawalle who ought to use his position as former governor and current Minister of State for Defence to unite, stabilize and strengthen APC in Zamfara State is the person causing disaffection amongst party members ahead of the 2027 general election having failed to learn from his politics of bitterness and vendetta that factionalized the party and led to his defeat as a sitting governor by the Peoples Democratic Party’s Dauda Lawal,” he said.
“Instead of an intensive membership drive, Bello Matawalle has been busy chasing shadows in a vicious cycle. This infantile politics must stop if APC should regain Zamfara State in 2027. There has been a national clamour for inclusive politics and governance in Nigeria which is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, in Zamfara APC, the reverse is the case. It is unacceptable, undemocratic and retrogressive.
“Frustrated over the failure of his second term bid as governor, Matawalle has been sowing seeds of discord amongst APC members in the state. He accused Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji and his supporters of anti-party activities in 2023 which forced Jaji to constitute a factional APC leadership in the state led by Isiyaka Ajiya Anka. Similarly, Senator Kabiru Mafara created another APC factional leadership led by Alh. Sirajo Maikatako.
“l decided to detach myself from some APC activities, particularly those associated with a former governor. It is to avoid unnecessary confrontations and factionalizations of APC in the state.
“Yet Matawalle and his supporters keep confronting critical stakeholders of the party including former governors Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, Ahmad Sani Yerima , Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Hon Abdulmalik Zubairu Zanna and Muhktar Shehu Idris .
“In August 2025, l narrowly escaped the second attempt on my life while returning from Friday Mosque prayers in Abuja. Clues from the dastardly action showed it was politically motivated by reactionary forces in Zamfara State.
“I was not surprised that some of my supporters in the state recently visited the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja.
“Matawalle now uses his ministry’s office to receive fellow APC members who switch camp from one leader to his side including supporters of Hon. Amin Sani Jaji, Senator Kabiru Mafara, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari and Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, all from the APC family.
“It is ignoble for a minister of the Federal Republic to turn his office to a personal campaign office where he receives inter-party and intra-party decampees.
“The war against terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry, militancy, secession, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and cultism should pre-occupy the minds of any Minister of Defence and his junior minister as the security and welfare of the people are the primary purpose of government.
“It is why I raise an alarm and urge Mr President and APC national chairman to intervene and call Bello Matawalle to order before it is too late.”
