A coalition of advocacy organisations has called for the return of Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara State, to continue his mission to combat banditry and restore stability to the troubled region.
“Matawalle is that doctor, and Zamfara must not abandon the cure before the disease is eradicated,” said Mansur Abubakar Gusau, spokesperson for the coalition, in a statement released to journalists on Sunday.
The group praised Matawalle’s tenure from 2019 to 2023, describing it as a period marked by innovative and inclusive strategies aimed at tackling the state’s longstanding security issues.
They appealed to residents and Nigerians more broadly to support Matawalle’s potential return in 2027, emphasizing the importance of “completing the vital mission of restoring lasting peace.”
The coalition highlighted Matawalle’s multifaceted approach to resolving Zamfara’s security crisis, saying when he assumed office in 2019, the state was grappling with severe banditry that left communities at risk, which prompted Matawalle to initiate peace negotiations with armed groups, engaged community leaders, and introduced socio-economic programs to address the root causes of violence.
“These efforts led several bandit factions to disarm, release hostages, and reintegrate into society,” Gusau noted, adding that Matawalle’s administration supported these transitions by offering vocational training, farming opportunities, and Islamic education.
For groups that refused to engage in peace talks, the coalition said Matawalle took steps to bolster security forces, providing them with vehicles and essential resources to protect communities, adding that he also led regional collaborations with neighbouring states like Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger, coordinating joint operations to dismantle criminal networks.
On economic reforms aimed at reducing poverty and crime, the coalition praised Matawalle’s administration, highlighting the impact of the Zamfara Social Investment Programme (Z-SIP), which provided stipends to youth and women and worked to deter criminal behavior.
Matawalle also received recognition for his crackdown on illegal mining, a significant funding source for armed groups, through the advocacy of a no-fly zone over Zamfara to curb smuggling.
The coalition criticized the current administration’s decision to lift the no-fly zone, warning that it could reignite illegal mining and worsen insecurity.
“Matawalle’s foresight in implementing the no-fly zone addressed the economic roots of banditry,” Gusau said.
On the 2027 gubernatorial election in the state, the group portrayed Matawalle as a leader who proved that peace could be achieved through courage and innovation.
“Insecurity is a disease that requires the skill of an experienced doctor,” the coalition said, urging Zamfara residents to back Matawalle’s candidacy for the election in the state.
