Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has alleged that his predecessor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, was involved in banditry activities.

Lawal, who made the claim on Wednesday on Television Continental (TVC), alleged that Matawalle kept some bandits in the Zamfara State Government House.

He also alleged that when the children of a permanent secretary were kidnapped, ransom was paid through the Government House.

“There were a lot of issues in the past with my predecessor,” Lawal said. “In fact, let me say this very categorically. If I were him, I would resign and face all the allegations against me. That would have been more honourable because, from all the information we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of these banditry issues.

“Typical is the fact that there was a permanent secretary whose children were abducted; it was unfortunate that he had to pay ransom through the Government House. And it was also very clear, based on all the allegations, that bandits were being kept at the Government House. You know, there are so many issues.”

Describing Matawalle’s appointment as Minister of State for Defence by President Bola Tinubu as unfair to the people of Zamfara, Lawal advised the former governor to resign from his position and clear his name.

“So for me, honestly, if I were him, I would step aside and face this allegation until I clear my name before coming back to continue my job,” he added. “That would have been more honourable. And how can you imagine all these allegations against him, and he’s still the Minister of Defence? I mean, that is unfair.

“This man could have been honourable, stayed aside, faced all these allegations, cleared his name, and then come back and continue to do whatever he wants to do.”

He stated that whether Matawalle wanted to remain as a minister or pursue something else, stepping aside would have been more honourable in his view, adding that if he were in his predecessor’s position, he would resign.