The Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has issued a bold challenge to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, urging him to swear an oath with the Quran affirming that he has no involvement in the banditry plaguing the state. This statement comes after Lawal accused Matawalle of sponsoring banditry and engaging in money laundering during his tenure as governor.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, Matawalle defended his integrity, stating, “Let me remind you when I was a governor, I was the only governor that swore by the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connections with banditry or I am not happy with what is happening. I swore that if I was happy or part of it, God should not give me one second.”
He added, “I challenged all the politicians that time, including Dauda, but none of them could take the oath. But I took it because I know my mind, I know I have a clean heart.” Matawalle also stated that he required all his council members to take a similar oath, emphasizing, “And not only that, including all my councillors, chairmen, and commissioners, I will not give you an appointment; you have to take the oath.”
Matawalle reiterated his challenge, saying, “They are part of the banditry, if not, let them take the oath with the Holy Quran openly with all the Imams in Zamfara State. And since that time, none of them have taken this oath,” He concluded.
