President Bola Tinubu’s request for Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, to move to Kebbi State in response to the kidnapping of twenty-five students from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, has drawn criticism from the Zamfara State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to reports, President Tinubu ordered Matawalle to move to Kebbi in a statement issued by his Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In order to oversee security measures to ensure the release of the kidnapped students, Matawalled was ordered to stay in Kebbi State.
However, PDP Publicity Secretary Alhaji Haliru Andi said in a statement on Saturday that the party, led by Jamil Jibo, saw the decision as another evidence of what it described as the APC-led government’s inability to put an end to Nigerian insecurity.
Andi claimed that the directive for Matawalle to hurry to Kebbi was “nothing but an empty drama designed to mislead Nigerians.”
Matawalle’s ability to handle security issues, even in his own state, was questioned by the PDP spokesperson.
“Even today, attacks persist in his own hometown, proving he lacks the competence and credibility to handle national security issues,” he stated.
“The APC government has totally failed Nigeria,” Andi continued. The ruling party’s lack of planning, ability, and sincerity is demonstrated by the recent vicious attack on a church in Kwara, the kidnapping of students in Kebbi, the murder of General Uba in Borno, and numerous murders and kidnappings around the nation.
He urged the APC to quit meddling in Nigerians’ lives and cautioned that the country needs real leadership, not political showmanship.
Yusuf Idris, the Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary, responded by calling the PDP’s comments “sheer madness” and an attempt to jeopardize national security.
Idris claimed that the Zamfara PDP had opted to “sabotage the Federal Government through an unpatriotic statement which could be termed as felony” rather than show compassion for the Kebbi kidnapping victims.
“The PDP chapter is trying to undermine security plans to rescue the kidnapped 24 students of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga,” he declared.
After learning about the kidnappings at the Kebbi school, Idris praised President Tinubu for postponing his planned trip to South Africa, where he was supposed to attend the G20 Summit.
“This is the first time in the country where the president canceled his foreign trip because of the kidnapping of students,” he said.
“Previous presidents never suspended engagements during similar mass abductions,” he continued.
“Kidnapping students began during President Jonathan with the Chibok girls, followed by Dapchi,” he stated. Students from Jangebe, Kankara, and Federal College Birnin Yauri were kidnapped during President Buhari’s administration, yet none of the previous presidents called off his engagement. The only person who values every citizen’s life is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
APC Supports Matawalle’s Performance
Idris accused the current PDP-led state government of deserting the people, insisting that Matawalle made “several efforts” to dismantle bandits’ networks while he was governor.
“The PDP has nothing to defend regarding why banditry has continued in Zamfara State when they control the state government,” he declared. The people have been abandoned by the governor.
He contended that Governor Dauda Lawal “would be far away” and would not even send consoling words, but Matawalle used to visit victims and give relief supplies.
Idris asserted that the Zamfara PDP had made several unsuccessful attempts to get President Tinubu to fire Matawalle.
He remarked, “One wonders what the PDP actually wants when they say they are not happy to see the President directing Matawalle to ensure the rescue of the 24 schoolgirls.”
