A youth advocacy group in Zamfara State, the Zamfara Youth Concerned Citizens (ZYCC), has urged former governor Dr. Bello Matawalle to run for the governorship position in 2027.
Matawalle, who served as Zamfara’s governor from 2019 to 2023, is currently Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence.
Speaking to journalists in Gusau on Wednesday, ZYCC Chairman Comrade Anas Abdullahi Kaura hailed Matawalle’s tenure as a transformative period for the state.
“During challenging times like these, we find ourselves looking back to the golden era of good governance—a time when the state flourished under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Bello Matawalle,” Kaura said.
He praised Matawalle’s achievements in addressing insecurity, youth and women empowerment, educational reforms, and economic revitalization.
“Under Matawalle’s administration, thousands of youth and women were empowered through vocational training in fields such as tailoring, carpentry, and IT. Additionally, over 3,500 youth benefitted from the Small Business Support Scheme, which provided capital to support entrepreneurial ventures,” Kaura noted.
The group highlighted initiatives such as the Zamfara Social Intervention Program (Z-SIP), which supported over 25,000 individuals with monthly stipends of ₦10,000, and the establishment of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), which trained more than 3,000 youth in digital skills.
“Dr. Matawalle made history by appointing over 8,000 youth into political and governance roles, empowering them economically and equipping them with opportunities to invest in businesses, acquire property, and further their education,” Kaura added.
ZYCC’s spokesperson, Ahmad Abdullahi Shinkafi, also hailed Matawalle’s impact as Minister of State for Defence, emphasizing his contributions to reducing national insecurity.
“We urge Dr. Bello Matawalle to return to the helm of leadership in 2027. His tenure as Minister of State for Defence has shown his capacity to tackle insecurity at a national level,” Shinkafi stated.
The group believes Matawalle’s leadership can restore peace and development to Zamfara State, urging him to respond to the people’s call for his return.
