A dispute has arisen between the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress and the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party over an incident where hoodlums attempted to set fire to the residence of the Minister of Defence (State), Bello Mattawalle, during the ongoing hunger protest.
During a press conference on Friday, the APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, accused the PDP chapter in the state of orchestrating an attack on the Minister of Defence, Bello Mattawalle, and other prominent APC figures during the nationwide protest.
Idris claimed that PDP officials had sought to capitalize on the peaceful protest by inciting their supporters to vandalize the assets of key APC leaders in the state, were it not for the prompt intervention of security forces.
Expressing concern, Idris stated, “The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is troubled by the turn of events in the purportedly peaceful nationwide protest in the state.
“We have observed that many PDP thugs were strategically deployed to attack, harm, and vandalize individuals and properties affiliated with the APC.
“Most alarming was the targeting of former governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle’s residence on the first day of the protest, where known PDP members aimed to cause damage, thwarted by timely security intervention.”
Idris mentioned that PDP individuals also assaulted the residence of APC Senator representing Zamfara North Senatorial Zone, Alhaji Sahabi Yau, causing damage including to a vehicle.
He noted, “The PDP further targeted Senator Sahabi Yau’s residence in Kaura Namoda, resulting in destruction of valuables and damage to his Toyota Hilux under the guise of a peaceful demonstration.”
In response, state acting PDP chairman Muktar Lugga refuted the APC’s allegations as groundless.
Lugga emphasized, “Under the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal, a peace-loving and responsible government, there is no intention to initiate any violent actions or chaos in the state.”
He dismissed the allegations as unfounded and baseless.
“This is not the time for political maneuvering,” Lugga remarked.
“Rather than shifting blame unnecessarily, let us join hands to support President Tinubu in addressing pertinent issues at the appropriate juncture.”
He contended that the APC was unjustly raising issues where there were none due to their failure in Zamfara state.
He advised them to wait until 2027 and criticized their timing, stating, “This is not the time for political gamesmanship.”
Furthermore, he urged PDP members to refrain from publicizing claims that the Defence Minister’s residence was under threat, attributing it to the Minister’s lack of popularity in his home state as shameful.