In a heated exchange over banditry claims in Zamfara State, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to swear an oath with the Holy Quran to prove his innocence.

This challenge follows Lawal’s accusations linking Matawalle to the rampant banditry troubling the state.

During an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, Matawalle firmly dismissed the allegations, recalling how he himself took an oath using the Quran to affirm his lack of involvement with bandits.

“I was the only governor that swore to the Holy Quran that I have no hand or connection with banditry,” he stated.

Governor Lawal, in a previous appearance on TVC, had demanded Matawalle’s resignation, insisting, “If I were him, I would resign and face all the allegations against me.”

He argued that it was dishonourable for Matawalle to remain in his position amid such serious claims.

Responding to Lawal’s challenge, Matawalle remarked, “They should bring any proof of that,” emphasizing that the allegations were unfounded.

He noted that his dialogues with bandits were part of a broader approach taken by several governors, asserting, “Zamfara is a very complex state with terrible human beings with devilish ideas.”

Matawalle concluded his statement by challenging all politicians, including Lawal, to take the same oath, stating, “None of them could take the oath, and if they don’t take the oath, that means they are part of it.”