Defence Minister under fire as protesters storm N/Assembly, demand removal of Matawalle
…It’s a calculated mischief, my hands are clean — Matawalle
By Joel Oladele, Abuja
Nigerian Defence Minister, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, is currently at the centre of a firestorm as pro-democracy activists stormed the National Assembly in protest to demand his removal over growing insecurity across the country.
The protesters under the aegis of the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity were seen at the National Assembly on Wednesday carrying banners with inscriptions demanding the sack of the Minister over alleged complicity in the crisis especially in Zamfara state.
They called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to through his influence prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure Matawalle is relieved of his job.
The group’s Spokesperson, Danesi Momoh, claimed that the Defence Minister has a lot of explanations to make especially with his recent indictment by a panel set up by the Zamfara State government.
“For a Senate that has since inauguration, been preaching anti-corruption and socioeconomic hygiene, allowing a man of questionable character like Bello Matawalle pass your screening without you doing anything to remedy it when the facts are out is a direct mockery of your avowed legislative objectives.
“Your Excellency would recall that many well-meaning Nigerians were vehemently opposed to Matawelle’s appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic following his antecedents as the Governor of Zamfara State.
“A Defence Portfolio to an inefficient and corrupt leader who allegedly romanced bandits was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of this administration, but it can be corrected with the Senate giving a voice in that direction.
“Note that Bello Matawalle’s criminal hoarding of all utility vehicles belonging to the Zamfara State Government shortly after exiting power, and the hullabaloo that greeted his unsportsmanlike behaviour portray him as somebody who suffers kleptomania and also a direct enemy of progress and development.
“We are afraid this might be replicated in the Ministry of Defence at the detriment of our patriotic Military. Governor Dauda Lawal had to fight to recover those vehicles and save the impoverished people of Zamfara State from further depleting their meagre resources in the purchase of new vehicles when they already had many, but which were stolen.
“There are high standards expected of a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They must be persons of unquestionable character and proven integrity. Unfortunately, the glaring revelations by the Zamfara State Government have shown Matawalle to be very deficit in character and lacking in integrity.
“On Friday, October 20, 2023, he spuriously denied the allegation of embezzling billions of Naira through the Zamfara Cargo Airport project; a development that pushed the State Government to reel out evidence backing the allegations.
“The evidence contained pictures and updates on financial records about the uncompleted Gusau International (Cargo) Airport project.
“If a barefaced liar like Matawelle is allowed to remain in power as the Minister of Defence or in any other capacity, the funds meant for fighting insecurity and indeed protecting our territorial integrity will not only be embezzled but end up in the hands of bandits and terrorists with no sense of accountability.
“Your Excellency, details of Matawalle’s financial malfeasance and administrative rascality as has now been made public is nauseating and frightening. Something urgent has to be done. And we call on the Senate to weigh in to ensure that he is immediately removed to restore some hope in good governance.
“Let us also assure you that we know how limited your role could be, but it is very important that in the national interest, you play that role. We shall also be mounting pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose table the buck stops directly to replace him. All the Senate needs is to play its part,” Momoh read in his petition.
He further alleged that “Matawalle is a national security danger and a man of tainted personality. He is unfit to be a member of the Federal Executive Council. The Senate should help in easing him off the public office space.”
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Senate President, the Director Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, Malam Salihu Abdullahi appreciated the protesters for their peaceful and orderly conduct, adding that he will convey their grievances to the appropriate quarters.
Meanwhile, Matawalle had earlier in a statement by his former Commissioner of information, Ibrahim Dosara maintained that the accusation remains a calculated mischief and diversionary tactics of Governor Dauda Lawal to cover up for his inefficiency.
He insisted that he inherited the cargo Airport project contract from its predecessor adding that his resolve to go ahead with the project was in the best interest of the people of the state.
“As government is a continuous process, former Governor Matawalle saw the need to consider completing the project for its numerous benefits to the people of the state and beyond. I want to bring to the attention of the general public that it is the only Zamfara State that has no Airport of its own, up to the time of this press statement.
“After due deliberations in council, it was agreed that the project be continued. As a follow up to the state Executive Council’s resolution and decision on the project, contractors were invited to bid for the contract to execute the Cargo Airport Project.
“After reaching agreement and in consultation with the Federal Airport Authority that Matawalle government immediately mobilized the contractors to site to handle the project to its timely completion.
“In the first instance, a bill of 28,000,000,000 (Twenty-eight Billion Naira) was submitted to the government for consideration. However, due to the foresight and prudence of the former Gov Matawalle, his government rejected the bill which the former Gov considered outrageous and crazy. The former Gov therefore insisted that the amount be down reviewed to considerable sum, which was down sized to 11,000,000,000 (Eleven Billion Naira only).
“For those who are unaware of the funding process of this project, let me bring it to your knowledge that the project was being funded through a banking arrangement known as ‘Contract financing.’
“This means an agreement between Zamfara State government and some private companies involving funding banks who released money only on the satisfaction that the certificates raised by government is commensurate to the works done on site.
“I wonder how monies meant for the project under this banking arrangement could have been embezzled by the former Governor. For the record, the following compartments of the contract were carried out and have reached various stages of completion as follows: Access Roads-Airport access dual road, Gate and Drainages have all been completed with environment assessment by the Federal Ministry of Aviation carried out and completed,” Matawalle reacted.
