Idris said the aim of those sponsoring the protests was to distract Matawalle from carrying out his assigned national responsibility for the progress and development of the nation.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described recent protests against ex-governor of the state and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, as the handiwork of political rivals who are offended by his rising political profile.
Zamfara APC spokesman, Yusuf Idris, said in a statement on Sunday that those orchestrating the “campaign of calumny” against Matawalle were driven by envy and vendetta.
He said that organising “rented crowd and miscreants” would only end in embarrassment to those sponsoring the protests, meant to push the EFCC to investigate the former Zamfara governor.
“Unfortunately, the issue being raised is an overflogged one. In fact, if the claims were true, the EFCC would have since made the details available to the public,” Idris added.
According to him, the protesters and their sponsors are ignorant of national laws, constitutional and judicial process in the operations of anti graft agencies against suspects.
He appreciated the EFCC for telling the protesters that the commission “is not driven by personal vendetta, political differences and tribal sentiments, but focused on upholding the rule of law and combating financial crimes without fear or favour”.
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Idris said that the aim of those sponsoring the protests was to distract Matawalle from carrying out his assigned national responsibility for the progress and development of the nation.
“At the party level, we know these people and we know their antics and political strength (if they have any) and we want to assure them that their envy against Matawalle will lead them nowhere.
“The Minister who is the APC leader in Zamfara, has since moved on with his life and has always shown readiness to work with anyone for the progress of Zamfara and Nigeria.
“The party leadership at all levels is with him, and ready to defend the policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu at all levels,” the publicity secretary added.
He said that the APC in Zamfara implored the minister to continue with the efforts to achieve peace and security throughout Nigeria, to enable citizens go about their legitimate businesses without fear.
“He should not be distracted by the anti-progressive elements who don’t mean well for Zamfara and Nigeria,” Idris added.