Matawalle: Zamfara Gov clarifies reason for defection to APC

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has clarified reports about the reason he defected to the All Progressives Congress.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, July 5, via his spokesman, Yusuf Idris Gusau.

Matawalle noted that he defected to the ruling APC to bring more development to the people.

“It is a known fact that Governor Matawalle is one of the leaders in the country that speaks wisdom on all matters; and he joined the APC in order to strengthen political unity in the state; for the purpose of bringing more development to his people,” Gusau said.

The Governor said the defection was also due to “the upper hands he (the governor) had been enjoying from President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC high command on all matters concerning the state.”

Gusau explained that President Buhari and the APC governors had been sympathetic to the people of the state in trying times; adding that this encouraged the governor to reciprocate the concern and respect given.

“The governor’s mission for joining the ruling party was nothing more than that. Any other report is mischievous and the handiwork of those diversionary characters who have remained vehemently opposed to the defection to APC by Governor Matawalle,” the spokesman added.

The governor’s reaction comes a week after he joined the ruling party – following months of speculation and denial; with all the federal and state lawmakers in Zamfara.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Assembly on Monday, July 5, passed an amended version of the Criminal Justice Law of the state barring the police from parading suspects before the media.

The bill was passed through voice votes conducted by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who presided over the plenary session.

Eshilokun-Sanni said Section 9(A) of the newly passed bill states that “as from the commencement of this law; the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.

“The bill further stipulates conditions under which a policeman can arrest without warrant; one of which is that a person must be reasonably suspected to unlawfully be in possession of firearms or other such dangerous instruments.

“A subsection of the bill also barred the police or any other agency; from arresting a person in lieu of any other person in a criminal matter.

“The bill adds that a person who is arrested shall be given reasonable facilities for obtaining legal advice; bail or making arrangements for defence or release,” he said.