APC Threatens Lawsuit Over PDP’s ‘Baseless’ Kidnap Allegations Against Defence Minister Matawalle

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to kidnapping incidents in the state — and threatened legal action.

In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday by the APC’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party dismissed claims made by Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, as baseless, defamatory, and politically motivated.

The statement followed an emergency meeting of the APC State Working Committee, chaired by Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani, which reviewed what it described as “provocative” and damaging remarks attributed to Kaura.

According to the APC, Kaura’s accusations are “character assassination” and “open insults” directed at key APC figures, including Matawalle and former Governor Abdulaziz Yari, now Senator for Zamfara West.

Kaura had alleged that Matawalle was involved in a conspiracy linked to the infamous December 11, 2020, kidnapping of over 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State. The PDP aide also claimed Matawalle received ₦300 million from then-Governor Aminu Bello Masari to secure the students’ release but only delivered ₦30 million to the kidnappers.

The APC vehemently denied these claims, asserting its firm stance against banditry during Matawalle’s administration and announcing that it has tasked its legal team to initiate a lawsuit against Kaura for these defamatory statements. The party challenged Kaura to produce credible evidence supporting his allegations, particularly concerning the Kankara abduction and other alleged “prearranged” kidnappings.

The APC further demanded proof for other notorious abductions under Matawalle’s watch, such as:

• The February 26, 2021, abduction of over 270 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe.

• The kidnapping of victims from the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura, Zamfara State.

Highlighting its proactive security measures, the APC pointed to numerous successful rescues and community support initiatives in towns like Gwaram, Kanoma, Kaya, Faru, Janbako, Lilo, and Anka during Matawalle’s tenure.

In addition, the party is contemplating legal action against Maibiredi TV, which aired the interview, accusing the media outlet of collusion with the PDP to push a fabricated narrative.

The APC accused the PDP-led Zamfara government of using smear tactics to distract from its failures and foment public unrest for political advantage.

“This reckless campaign against Matawalle and Yari exposes the PDP’s fear of the growing acceptance of our leadership,” the statement concluded. “No amount of propaganda will stop us from fulfilling our mandate to serve the people of Zamfara.”