Nigerian Governor Accused of Sponsoring Bandits Defends Himself, Swears by Quran
- Governor Matawalle of Zamfara state has denied having any connection with bandits terrorising the northern region
- The Zamfara state governor swore by the Quran to prove his innocence and challenge others in the state to do the same
- A principal member of the ruling APC had recently accused Governor Matawaller of sponsoring the bandits
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Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state said he has sworn by the Quran to prove that he has no connection with bandits.
Recall that the deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, recently alleged that a governor from the northwest was the one sponsoring armed bandits in the northern region.
However, Governor Matawalle who claimed he was the one being accused swiftly denied the allegation, saying he found it insulting just as he lambasted the ruling party.
Source: Facebook
In what appears to be a fresh reaction to the allegation, the Zamfara state governor defended himself again while receiving an award conferred on him by the Centre for Quranic Reciter, Nigeria, on Sunday, March 21, saying he has sworn by the Quran, The Cable reported.
The Quran is the holy book for Islam, a faith that the governor professes.
He challenged all the political leaders in the state to also swear that they have no connection with bandits terrorising the state.
Also reporting the development, PM News quoted Matawalle as saying:
“I have sworn with the Holy Quran that if I know, or if I am part of, or I know anybody who is coordinating this (banditry), or with my hand or any of my family, may Allah not give me (speaks in Arabic) in this life."
He said as the chief security officer of the state, he will do everything possible to provide a secure and peaceful environment.
Nigerians react
Deji Dero commented on Facebook:
"Time to stop politicizing our problems and let's tackle them together"
Mayowa Akinsola reacted in Pidgin:
"Na today Nigerians dey swear with Bible and Quran for courts and na lies dey go spew."
Mutyhullahi Adebayo Adesola said:
"Swearing with or by Qu'ran is only Nigeria phenomenon. None of our Muslim forbearers did same. It is a bidiah (religious innovation)."
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In a related development, Governor Matawalle has dismissed the allegation that he supplied vehicles to bandits in the state.
A former chairman of Maradun local government area of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Maradun, had made the allegation against the governor.
The chairman claimed Matawalle supplied Hilux vehicles to bandits which they used to attack innocent residents.
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Nurudeen Lawal is a Legit.ng journalist passionate about fact-checking/verification journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature-in-English from Obafemi Awolowo University. As Politics Editor, Nurudeen mostly writes on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic developments. He has attended different workshops, conferences and training on fact-checking and digital reporting, among others. Learn more about him on Twitter, @Nurudeen Lawal_
Source: Legit.ng
