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Opinion: On The Gang-up Against Bello Mattawale By Gov. Dauda Lawal And His Cohorts

Published

3 months ago

September 30, 2024

By Joseph Akinola

From the time that Bello Matawalle was nominated as Minister OF the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023, Dauda Lawal the Governor of Zamfara State has been ill at ease.

The circumstances of his victory at the gubernatorial election as well as subsequent victory at the Election petition Tribunal did not give room for sound sleep. He knew that when pushing comes to shoving, the former Governor held the aces in the State politically.

Dauda Lawal having realised that it would be difficult to keep Matawalle’s new influence under check as Minister of State for Defence hatched another plan after his first moves to indict him through the cargo Airport controversy.This was to hoodwink a former aides to Matawalle who could provide information on his activities while in government.

This was what led to the unveiling of Bashir Hadejia, who we will dwell on later in the write-up.

The original plan was to paint Bello Matawalle black over his achievements as Governor of Zamfara between 2019 and 2023. This however failed flat as the people of the state knew the legacies he left. And so they were not buying into that. After failing to achieve this, Dauda Lawal Dare thought out other plans.

Our sources believe that the Zamfara Governor connected with the former Jigawa Governor who is presently the Minister of Defence and both of them agreed that it was in their interests to cut Matawalle to size because of his looming influence and good relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

They found a willing tool in Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide to Jonathan. Jackson Ude is a Nigerian journalist who has made a name for himself as a blackmailer. Not less than twenty different top Nigerians, including the DG of World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala have either taken him to court and won or sued him.

Jackson Ude has since become a major ally of Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal. Together, they allegedly decided that the best way to tackle Matawalle growing influence in the Tinubu government was to continue to label him as backing the bandits and terrorists terrorizing the State he once governed.

Bello Matawalle’s rise in status and having become the poster boy of the Tinubu administration’s success in the Defence sector did not make his co-minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar comfortable. What you don’t have, you cannot give.

Many sources in the media confirmed that the two Ministers seemed to be opposites hence it was only a matter of time that their differences became obvious. According to our sources, while Matawalle would come to state what the Ministry was doing and encourage the troops and it’s leadership to do more, Badaru has never been a man who wanted visibility. He has always been too taciturn and withdrawn, as if sulking. So when the story came out that he was not too happy with the Minister of State for taking the shine off him, and aligning with Dauda Lawal to undermine Matawalle, not many people doubted it.

Sources claimed Badaru has grouses, with Tinubu appointing him as Defence Minister and not putting the Chiefs of Staff under him. It was also alleged that he was angry with the president because he wanted the FCT Ministry portfolio, which was given to Nyesom WIKE, a non- partyman. Abubakar Badaru, according to our sources felt he should have been given the portfolio of the FCT Ministry because he dropped his presidential ambition to support Tinubu when the President indicated interest in contesting.

Our source further revealed that Badaru, and Governor Lawal have teamed up to work and ensure that Matawalle is frustrated out of the Tinubu government so as to further dent whatever achievements the Tinubu government can claim to have while also denting Matawalle’s achievements.

Governor Lawal’s romance with terrorists is well known in the State despite all the air of arrogance he surrounds himself with as several pictures of his meetings and discussion abound everywhere on the social media.Impeccable sources gathered that Bello Turji works for the Zamfara Governor and the friends and allies of the bandits leader know this.

Sources confided in us that this is why it has been impossible for Bello Turji to be captured or killed as the State government virtually protects him, leaks information about troops movement if they have them and also support them with logistics. This explains why he makes so much noise and boasts of his invincibility.

Bello Turji’s MEN and other bandit leaders are also said to enjoy the same status as he enjoys.

Our sources also confirmed that Turji and a few other top bandits work for Dauda Lawal by ensuring his firm grip on the mining business in Zamfara.

Through them, the governor is alleged to have controlled a large chunk of the mining fields and also collected royalties on the governor’s behalf.

It is even alleged in some circles that some of the late bandits leaders eliminated by the military in its recent onslaught were bagkeepers for the governor who kept his money especially from the mines hence the reason why he was not too happy with their death and their elimination was not celebrated by the state.

Our sources also linked a powerful former NSA from the state with the gold mining business in the state.

According to the sources, because of their vested interest, the powerful NSA who retired from the military as a general would do anything to ensure that his mining interests are protected in Zamfara hence the move to support the Governor and ensure that the top bandits who protect their vested interests are not touched. These gang-up believe that any attempt by Matawalle to upset the applecart in the mining sectors of the state will affect their vested interests since it is the bandits who are protecting their interests there and they need the continued presence of the bandits to ward off government prying eyes.

The implications of all these are germane here.

Key stakeholders in Zamfara state who ordinarily should be working for the success of the military are working at cross-purposes with the security apparatus of the state.

They are not ready to allow the security agencies operate. Rather, they work against them. They not only do this, they give out information against the security agencies to bandits and terrorists who through this organise ambushes for the security agencies all ina bid to paint the Minister of State Defence in bad light as well as maintain their strangle hold on the mining sector in the state.

Frightening Dimensions

The recruitment of Bashir Hadejia as well as the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, into this dastardly group constitutes a frightening dimensions to a problem that was hitherto localized. Our sources revealed that Bashir Hadejia was born in Niger Republic and maintains a home there just like the Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru.

Having worked with Bello Matawalle, he understands the workings of the former Governor’s network as well as what he did to curb the excesses of the bandits while in power.

That Bashir Hadejia, working with Governor Dauda Lawal were able to cladenstinely sponsor anti- Nigerian protests during the August 1-10 protests in Nigeria signify the extent of their hatred for the country and its constitued authority. Though they set out to embarrass the Minister of State for Defence, and by implications the Tinubu government, the move showed the extent the Dauda Lawal gang-up could go in portraying Matawalle in bad light and their cause.

Having recruited a notorious journalist who does not operate in the country, yet spews outright lies and also thrive on blackmail, no wonder they have dominated the cyber space with unverifiable stories upon stories against the Minister of State, Bello Matawalle.

Joseph Akinola, a political analyst based in Abuja

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Thou saith the lord, make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the new IG of police, prophet Ikuru tells Tinubu

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

By Collins Nkwocha

The prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry is one of the leading prophets on the African continent, having witnessed the fulfilment of numerous stunning prophecies, prophet Ikuru is indeed God’s mouthpiece and oracle of the End time.

Prophet Ikuru who was on the mountain for seven days to seek the face of God has told the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the Inspector General of police to bring the needed transformation and reform in the police ” I love this country and I will continue to love this country, it’s because I love this country that God keep giving revelations concerning the nation,God said that I should tell the president to make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the new IG of police in Nigeria because God is interested in the affairs of the police in Nigeria,as a prophet of God, I’m mandated to bring hope and restoration to people, that’s exactly what I’m doing”

AIG Adegoke heads the Zone 2 Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.He is one of the police officers that has distinguished himself and shown that he has what is required to make the Nigerian police effective and efficient.

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Welcome back to Lagos, prophet applauds Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

As the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu arrives Lagos for Yuletide, the prophet of the nation,the prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has expressed his utmost delight in seeing the president return to Lagos,a state he resided and ruled for 8 years before he became the president.

Prophet Ikuru reiterated that the president is navigating the nation through obstacles, impediments and would ultimately make Nigeria a dream nation ” I want to officially welcome Mr.president back to Lagos, he’s a man that i love so much because he has also given so much for this nation,God will continue to bless him as he navigates the nation through this difficult period”

He urged Nigerians to keep faith with the president because his reform programmes are genuine and would ultimately be to the boon of the country

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Foundation offers free medical care to over 300 widows, orphans

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Sahara Weekly

In a society where the less privileged are often overlooked, the Mercy Ogbuehi Widows & Orphans Foundation has bridged the gap by reaching out to help.

Founded by Barrister Nnenna Uchegbu, the foundation was established in honour of her late mother, Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi.

The Late Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi was a woman who embodied generosity in its purest form.

“She was accommodating, charitable, and homely,” said the foundation’s secretary, Oladipupo Uchechukwu Stephen. “She welcomed children who were not her own and ensured no one left her small buka (local restaurant) hungry.”

Her buka, situated in a remote town somewhere in Abia State, Nigeria became more than a place for meals; it was a haven for the community. Mercy’s innate ability to care for others, especially the less privileged, became the cornerstone of her daughter’s vision. Barrister Nnenna sought to expand on her mother’s acts of kindness, creating a foundation dedicated to uplifting widows, orphans, and the less privileged.

One of the foundation’s unique goals is its emphasis on empowerment through education and skill acquisition.

As Oladipupo explained, “We don’t just equip people with what to eat; we teach them how to get what to eat. It’s the essence of the proverb: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Since its inception, the foundation has been running free skill acquisition programs, beginning with two classes in catering and industrial training in 2017. Today, the programs have expanded to include seven to eight fields, such as fashion design, shoemaking, hairdressing, computer literacy, and more.

Graduates of these programs are equipped not just with knowledge but with tools to jumpstart their careers. Participants in fashion design receive sewing machines, those with computer literacy are given brand-new laptops, and catering graduates are provided with essential equipment or startup funds.

“This December 19th marks our 15th graduation ceremony,” Oladipupo proudly noted. “We’ll empower widows with sewing machines and others with tools and funds to bring their skills to life.”

Over the past seven years, the foundation has grown into a hub of opportunity for many. Its focus on sustainability ensures that participants not only acquire skills but also build livelihoods that last.

The foundation also caters to the younger generation through its annual summer coaching programs. These sessions are open to orphans and children from the community, offering educational support that goes beyond the classroom. “This is not just for children within the foundation but for all children in the community,” Oladipupo emphasized.

Beyond education and skills training, the foundation recognizes the importance of healthcare for the less privileged. Friday Ogbuehi, the foundation’s director and brother to Barrister Nnenna, noted their impactful medical outreach programs.

“Our medical outreach aims to attend to about 350 beneficiaries, primarily widows and orphans,” Friday shared. These outreaches offer services like pulse, blood pressure, and blood sugar monitoring, as well as massages, dental care, and free medications. “We ensure that every participant leaves healthier and more informed about their well-being.”

What began as a small gesture of kindness in a local buka has grown into a robust foundation impacting lives in numerous ways. The foundation not only supports immediate needs but also builds a future for the underprivileged through empowerment and education.

“Through the foundation, we are honouring my mother’s legacy by creating a lasting impact,” said Friday.

The “Graduation/Christmas Party for the newly trained Widows and Orphans is scheduled for the 19th of December 2024.

The 2024 Children’s Christmas Party was held on Saturday 14th of December. The event began with a prayer session for the Children and later lots of fun as the DJ played music for the children to dance. The children also played games and received gift packs from the Foundation.

One of the high points of the December programs was the “Shop 4 Free” held on Tuesday 17th of December 2024. All the Widows, Orphans, and other less privileged members of the community were given access to shop without paying a dime. Available wear, shoes, sandals, fabrics, clothing, kitchen utensils, etc.