Matawalle gives cars to eight returning APC lawmakers in Zamfara

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has given vehicles to eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. These lawmakers recently returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 general elections approach.

The aim of this donation is to help the lawmakers with transportation. This support will aid their return to Zamfara and boost their political activities and mobilization in their constituencies.

This move comes during ongoing reconciliation efforts by APC leaders. They want to bring together members who are not happy and strengthen the party’s structure in Zamfara State before the 2027 elections.

Matawalle, who was a former governor of the state, reportedly ordered that the vehicles be released immediately. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s call for the lawmakers to come back to Zamfara and work on unity within the party.

On Wednesday, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Yazid Danfulani, handed over the vehicles in Gusau. He said this action shows Matawalle’s commitment to bringing the party together.

Danfulani mentioned that the minister has been working with APC stakeholders to promote understanding and cooperation among party members. He added that the donation is part of wider efforts to reconnect the lawmakers with their constituencies and boost the party’s grassroots support ahead of the elections.

Aliyu Kagara spoke on behalf of his colleagues to thank Matawalle for his support. He promised they would work hard for Tinubu’s re-election.

"We sincerely appreciate the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for this gesture. We assure him of our commitment to working assiduously for the success of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections," Kagara said.

This donation follows praise from the Northern Elders of the APC Forum. They recently thanked Tinubu and Matawalle for helping the eight lawmakers return to the ruling party.

Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, the forum’s chairman, called this development a big step towards fixing internal disagreements and rebuilding unity in the APC.

"We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly role and commitment to promoting reconciliation within the party, despite his tight schedule. His leadership and willingness to encourage dialogue remain crucial to strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections," Abubakar said.

The forum also praised Matawalle for his work to bring back aggrieved members and restore confidence among party members. They noted that the lawmakers decided to return to the APC after talks with Matawalle, who has been leading reconciliation efforts in the state. The minister also reportedly introduced the lawmakers to Tinubu after they confirmed their loyalty to the President and the party.

But the elders warned that the return of these eight lawmakers should not mean the end of reconciliation efforts. They urged APC leaders to address the issues of other unhappy members.

"Party unity must go beyond the return of elected officials; it must involve building trust and ensuring that every stakeholder has a sense of belonging," the forum said.

Matawalle was the governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023 before losing to Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 governorship election. He was later appointed Minister of State for Defence.

This latest development shows the efforts by APC leaders to strengthen the party in Zamfara State and gather support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. But keeping up the reconciliation process may depend on how well the party handles ongoing issues and builds trust among its members.