The North West Peace and Progress Forum (N-WPPF) has called on Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to resign and seek forgiveness following public confessions by individuals who claimed they were funded by the state government to circulate false allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle.
In a statement issued on Friday, the forum’s convener, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, said the confessions by the alleged participants exposed what he described as a misuse of public resources at a time when Zamfara is grappling with heightened insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
According to Abdullahi, the confessions revealed that the governor’s spokesperson allegedly convened meetings, issued directives, and approved over ₦500 million of taxpayers’ money for a coordinated smear campaign involving political commentators, social media influencers, and media platforms.
He described the alleged actions as a “betrayal of public trust,” insisting they diverted funds from essential governance needs while the state “sinks deeper into crisis.”
The forum accused Governor Lawal of focusing on political vendettas rather than addressing the deteriorating security situation.
“While the governor remains engrossed in these baseless attacks, Zamfara has reached an all-time low in poverty, hardship, and insecurity,” Abdullahi stated, noting recurring abductions, banditry, and economic stagnation across the state.
He added that the governor has neither denied involvement nor addressed the detailed evidence allegedly provided in the confessions, which reportedly include records of meetings and financial disbursements.
N-WPPF urged Governor Lawal to apologise to the people, reflect on the implications of the alleged actions, seek forgiveness, and step aside for what it termed “effective leadership.”
Quoting the Holy Quran, Abdullahi referenced Surah Az-Zumar 39:53 on repentance and accountability, urging the governor to “choose the path of responsibility.”
The group also appealed to Dr. Matawalle to forgive those involved and remain committed to his national duties. It highlighted the minister’s recent signing of a five-year defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, which includes military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and joint operations.
N-WPPF further called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations and urged Northwest leaders to prioritize unity and security efforts above political battles.
“Political deception only weakens our region; the focus must shift to serving the people,” the statement concluded.
