Zamfara PDP Alleges Matawalle Plot to Crush Opposition

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara state has expressed concern about alleged plans by Governor Bello Matawalle to crack down on party leaders ahead of the 2023 elections.
A statement issued by the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dauda Lawal’s Media Office, and made available to

Track News, in Kaduna on Thursday, accused the Matawalle-led administration of plotting to silence PDP top brass through mass arrests and fabricated charges.
According to the statement signed by Tanimu Marafa, PDP leaders are being pursued and detained by the police, citing the recent arrest of Ikra Bilbis, a former Minister of State for Information and Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council, as part of the plot.

“The Peoples Democratic Party of Zamfara State wishes to inform the general public that it has obtained intelligence information indicating that the Matawalle-led government has finalized plans to clamp down on notable opposition party figures in the state within the next few days,” the statement reads.

“The proposed illogical plan is to make up bogus charges and demand that security agencies, particularly the police, arrest and charge such opposition party members in court.”

“The plan was activated with the illegal arrest of Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, a former minister, as the Director-General of the Governorship Campaign Council of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the state.”

“On the orders of the state governor, Bilbis and some members of our great party were arrested and detained by the police.”

Captain Bala Mai Riga, who has been detained for some time, has also been arrested on false charges.

“Our source confirmed that key members of the PDP, including our governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal, and the state acting chairman of the party, Mukhtar Lugga, were identified for unjustified arrest.”

Farouk Rijiya, Abubakar Rawayya, Zangina Abdullahi, Mugira Yusuf, Usman Danmasani Nahuche, Yarbachaka Haruna, Bashir Shehu, Usman Mafara, Bello S/Fagon, Ahmed Mairiga, Col. Yandoto, Nagambo Anka, Comr. Sale Maradun, Abba Oando, Suleiman
Mafara urged “well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Zamfara” not to “heat up the polity with this ill-advised decision to clamp down on opposition party figures.”

The statement urged the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to be mindful of the state’s fragile security situation, emphasizing that clamping down on the opposition with fabricated charges could lead to a breakdown in law and order.

The statement urged relevant security forces, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Peace Committee, and the international community to intervene and prevent Matawalle from abusing his position of power.

“Recall that in October, we petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, regarding unlawful harassment of our members by security agents acting on Governor Matawalle’s orders.”

“The petition was to draw the Inspector General’s attention to the safety of our members in Zamfara due to credible information at our disposal that the state government had activated a police squad to eliminate members of the opposition.”
The PDP also urged the judiciary to uphold fairness and justice and to refrain from being used as a tool for political persecution.

The statement demanded the immediate release of PDP members detained by police, as well as a halt to the planned draconian arrests of its members ahead of the 2023 elections.