Former Zamfara governorship candidate, Dr Sani Shinkafi, has urged Governor Dauda Lawal to stop spreading false allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle.

Shinkafi accused Lawal of launching politically motivated attacks to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation.

In a statement, Shinkafi dismissed Lawal’s claims, describing Matawalle as a man of integrity.

“Matawalle has been instrumental in the ongoing military offensive in the North West,” Shinkafi said, commending the Defence Minister for boosting military morale and playing a key role in neutralising notorious bandits.

Shinkafi further accused Governor Lawal of using media propaganda to distract the public from his own governance failures.

He suggested that the governor was threatened by Matawalle’s rising political profile, claiming that Lawal’s accusations were baseless.

Challenging Lawal, Shinkafi referred to a leaked memo from Zamfara’s Ministry of Finance, urging the governor to clarify his alleged links with banditry.

“Governor Lawal should focus on delivering the dividends of democracy instead of attacking Matawalle with unfounded allegations,” Shinkafi added.

He concluded by criticising Lawal for what he called “executive rascality,” insisting that the governor clear his name and address pressing governance issues.