PDP, APC Clash Over Matawalle’s Planned Visit To Zamfara

Political tension has flared in Zamfara State as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchange words over the planned visit of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

In a statement issued on Monday in Gusau, APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, accused the ruling PDP of being “worried and unsettled” by the minister’s upcoming visit. He said the reaction from the PDP showed fear within the party, claiming that many of its members were already leaving due to poor governance in the state.

The controversy reportedly began after PDP Publicity Secretary, Halliru Andi, urged Matawalle to shelve his visit and remain at his duty post in Abuja. But Idris countered that the minister has the constitutional right to visit any part of Nigeria, including his home state. He recalled that President Bola Tinubu once directed Matawalle to operate from Sokoto after alleged obstruction from the Zamfara State Government.

According to Idris, the minister’s trip has unsettled the PDP leadership but will proceed with approval from the Presidency. He said Matawalle, as a citizen and APC leader in the state, has every right to meet with his supporters and assess the security situation firsthand.

The APC spokesman also accused Governor Dauda Lawal of neglecting his duties, alleging that he frequently leaves the state during crises. Idris claimed that the governor travelled abroad for his son’s graduation while several communities in Zamfara were under attack.

He challenged the PDP administration to focus on tackling insecurity instead of interfering in Matawalle’s personal or political activities. He added that the minister’s visit could lead to further defections from the PDP to the APC.

The PDP had yet to issue a formal reaction to the APC’s allegations at the time of filing this report.