Matawalle said: “I got an intelligence report of plans to punish me, El-Rufai, and Ganduje. Our offence was challenging the naira policy of the federal government at the Supreme Court.”
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle, has blamed the federal government for his defeat in the March 18 governorship election.
Matawalle stated this during an interview with DW Hausa on Tuesday while explaining the reason he lost his re-election bid.
The Zamfara Governor who sought re-election under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), lost to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dauda Lawal.
Matawalle claimed the federal government deployed over 300 trucks filled with military operatives to fast-track his defeat, as per reporting by Daily Nigerian.
He said: “I warned my people against rigging in my favour. I wanted to be voted genuinely and allow the people’s will to be respected.
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“But the kind of soldiers that were deployed for this election were alarming. We have never had this kind of military presence in the state. On seeing that, I knew that there was a hidden agenda, and that was why I didn’t even bother. I got an intelligence report of plans to punish me, El-Rufai, and Ganduje.
“Our offence was challenging the naira policy of the federal government at the Supreme Court.
“We have been having security challenges in the state and have been crying for help, but nobody has answered us. But a few days before the election, over 300 military trucks were sent to the state,” the governor said.
The governor however said he is fulfilled to have served the state for just a term.
“The election has been concluded, and everyone saw what happened in Zamfara, but as a Muslim, I can only give gratitude to God for the outcome.
“When God gave me the power, a lot of people never thought I would become the governor of the state, and God gave it to me.
“And if he chooses to take it back, I can’t question him. God has destined that I will serve one term, and I am fulfilled with that.
“I’m not bothered at all about losing the election. If you recall, sometime last year, I lamented to you about the security situation in Zamfara State and told you I was weary of being the governor. As a leader, it’s not good to see your people being killed or kidnapped daily.
“After my time on earth, I will give an account of these incidents to my Creator, and they bother me every single day.
“So for a very long time, I got fed up with the power due to what was happening in the state. I tried my best to address the security situation, but it was beyond my powers; only God can end it.”