Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has defended dialogue negotiations with bandits during his tenure as Zamfara State governor.
Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal had accused his predecessor of sponsoring banditry and accommodating the terrorist at the government house.
But reacting to the allegations during an interview with Channels Television’s on Tuesday, Mr Mattawalle said he acted in good faith to restore peace and stability to the state.
He said dialogue led to relative peace and the recovery of arms and ammunition from the terrorist.
While dismissing the allegations of sponsoring banditry, Mr Mattawalle challenged his accusers to back up their allegations with proof.
“They should bring any proof of that,” the minister said.
“Because I dialogue, it was not only I, remember all the governor dialogue; the governor of Niger State dialogue with bandits, the governor of Sokoto did the same. while only me because it is Zamfara.”
He added that the state is a complex, with people who harbour devilish and terrible ideas.
”Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.”
“Let me remind you I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening that if I am happy or if I am part of it or if I know those doing it or if I am collaborating with them God should not give me one-second grace.
“I challenged all the politicians, including General Ali Gusau and Dauda Lawal, to do the same. None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath, that means they are part of it.
“I have always acted in good faith, as have other governors who engaged in dialogue with bandits, including the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Governor of Sokoto State.
“Yet, I seem to be singled out, perhaps because Zamfara is a complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas,” he stated.
