The Zamfara State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have disagreed sharply over President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State after the abduction of 25 schoolgirls.
While the PDP said the directive further exposed the APC-led Federal Government’s failure to address insecurity, the APC accused the opposition party of undermining national security efforts.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Haliru Andi, said the state chapter, led by Dr. Jamil Jibo, was “deeply outraged” by the President’s instruction directing Matawalle to immediately proceed to Kebbi following the kidnapping of students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga.
According to Andi, the directive was “another empty drama meant to deceive Nigerians,” insisting that Matawalle had “never succeeded in any security assignment, whether as governor or minister.”
He added that insecurity persisted even in Matawalle’s hometown, which he said proved the minister’s lack of competence and credibility.
Andi further described recent security incidents including an attack on a Kwara church, the abduction of students in Kebbi, the murder of General Uba in Borno, and numerous killings nationwide as evidence of the government’s lack of strategy and sincerity.
But in a swift response, APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, dismissed the PDP’s remarks as “sheer madness” and an attempt to sabotage ongoing rescue efforts.
Idris said the PDP should have expressed sympathy to Kebbi State instead of issuing what he called an “unpatriotic and reckless statement that borders on felony.”
He accused the PDP of attempting to undermine security operations aimed at rescuing the abducted schoolgirls.
Idris also praised President Tinubu for cancelling an international trip to South Africa for a G20 summit after the Kebbi abduction something he noted previous presidents never did during similar incidents.
He pointed out that student kidnappings during the administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari did not prompt the cancellation of official engagements.
The APC spokesperson argued that Matawalle made significant efforts against banditry during his tenure as governor, accusing the current PDP-led government of lacking any effective security strategy.
He added that unlike Governor Dauda Lawal, Matawalle consistently visited attack victims or sent delegations to console affected communities.
Idris concluded by questioning the PDP’s displeasure over the President’s directive.
“When the PDP says it is unhappy that the President directed Matawalle to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped schoolgirls, one wonders what exactly the party wants.”
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