A fresh political controversy is brewing in Zamfara State as a Northern group, the Zamfara State Concerned Citizens (ZSCC), has announced plans to institute legal action against former Governor of Zamfara State and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, over allegations concerning his educational qualifications.

The group, led by Musa Abdullahi, raised concerns over Matawalle’s certificate, which it alleged was obtained from the Vocational Training Centre, Bunza, and used to secure elective office and subsequent appointment as a minister.

It said that despite what it described as “questions surrounding the qualification,” the certificate did not conform with constitutional requirements.

In a statement signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna, Abdullahi said the group had concluded consultations and was preparing legal action aimed at testing the validity of the credentials before a court of competent jurisdiction.

According to him, public office is a position of trust that demands honesty, transparency and strict compliance with the law.
The group further alleged that the use of forged or invalid educational credentials to secure public office, if established by a court, amounts to a grave violation of public trust and undermines the integrity of democratic institutions.

Abdullahi explained that Nigerian laws prohibit forgery, certificate falsification and false declarations, adding that any public official found guilty of such offences should face appropriate legal consequences.
The group also said it had attached copies of documents allegedly submitted by the former governor as part of his educational credentials.

“We believe that no individual should be allowed to benefit from public office through misrepresentation. The law must apply equally to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” Abdullahi said.

It further argued that where a public office holder is found to have obtained office through false credentials, such a person may face disqualification, removal from office and prosecution in line with applicable laws.
The group also maintained that salaries, allowances, benefits and privileges allegedly obtained through such misrepresentation should be recovered by relevant authorities.

ZSCC stressed that public officials must be held to the highest ethical standards, warning that failure to address allegations of credential fraud could erode public confidence in governance.

It also criticised Matawalle’s public interventions on security matters, accusing him of making statements capable of generating unnecessary controversy at a time citizens expect reassurance and constructive engagement from leaders.

According to Abdullahi, the planned court action is not only about one individual but about protecting the sanctity of public office and ensuring that honesty remains a fundamental requirement for leadership.

He added that the legal challenge would serve as a deterrent to anyone who might attempt to use false or questionable credentials to gain access to public office.

The group insisted that accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law remain essential pillars of democracy, vowing to pursue the matter through all lawful channels.

As of the time of filing this report, Matawalle had not responded to the allegations.