2027: Matawalle unites Zamfara APC aspirants behind Tinubu, Lawal

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has met with 85 aggrieved Zamfara State House of Assembly aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, urging them to remain united and committed to the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The meeting was held at Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

The aspirants were those who were not cleared by the party’s screening committee ahead of the State House of Assembly primaries.

During the visit, the aspirants reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and pledged to continue supporting the party despite the outcome of the screening exercise.

Leader of the delegation, Sulaiman Shu’aibu Shinkafi, commended Matawalle for what he described as his sincerity, openness and fatherly role in strengthening unity within the party.

The aspirants also declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal in 2027, assuring that their grievances would not stop them from working for the success of both leaders.

Responding, Matawalle assured them that the APC National Working Committee was already looking into their petitions.

He urged them to remain calm, saying the matter would be addressed in line with the principles of fairness, justice and equal opportunity.

Matawalle said the APC remained a party committed to internal democracy and reconciliation, adding that President Tinubu’s administration would continue to intensify efforts to improve security across the country.

“We are still confronting insurgency, Boko Haram activities and ISWAP operations in the North-East, as well as banditry in the North-West. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is fully committed to addressing these security challenges and restoring lasting peace across the nation,” Matawalle said.

The former Zamfara governor also praised Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a courageous and visionary leader committed to transforming Nigeria.

“We are indeed fortunate that God has blessed us with a leader like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at this critical period in our nation’s history.

“The ongoing Zamfara-Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto highway project, as well as the Sokoto-Badagry road project, clearly demonstrate the President’s commitment to the transformation and economic advancement of the northern region,” he said.

Matawalle said the projects would improve transportation, boost trade and agriculture, and accelerate economic growth across the region.

He also expressed delight at the unity and maturity displayed by the aspirants, describing their resolve to work for the APC’s success in 2027 as commendable.

The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations and reconciliation efforts by Matawalle to strengthen the APC structure in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Those present included former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mukhtar Ahmad Anka; former Speakers of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bature Umar Sambo and Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya; Zamfara APC Secretary, Ibrahim Maigandi; APC Auditor, Yusuf Idris Gusau; and other party stakeholders.