The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed disapproval of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The party also criticized the former Zamfara State governor for endorsing the suspension of the state governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly for a period of six months.
In a statement released in Gusau, the state capital, the PDP, through its Chairman, Jibo Jamilu, denounced the suspension of the governor as unlawful.
The statement stated, “Bello Matawalle’s backing of the illegitimate suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not unexpected, given his past actions that have undermined democratic values and human rights during his time as Governor of Zamfara State.
“His allegations against Fubara regarding the destruction of public structures and disrespect for the rule of law are hypocritical at best.
“Matawalle himself dismissed democratically elected local government chairmen, destructed public buildings (Gusau Hotel, Farida Hospital), and managed the state unilaterally without convening Executive Council meetings throughout his term.
“He also unlawfully ousted his deputy for failing to switch allegiance with him to the All Progressives Congress. These incidents demonstrate his lack of regard for the very values he now asserts to champion.”
The statement further emphasized, “The removal of elected officials under the guise of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unjustifiable, and Matawalle, with his history of similar transgressions, is not in a position to judge others.”