FCT, Abuja – The All Progressives Congress (APC) Concerned Youth Movement has tackled the lawmaker representing Birnin Magaji/Kaura Namoda Federal Constituency, Honourable Aminu Jaji, over his alleged involvement in the protest against former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle.
In a statement issued Saturday, May 11, the group’s Chairman, Abubakar Gusau, accused Jaji of attempts to “deny his involvement in renting the youths and children from Niger state who protested at the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) headquarters.”
The alleged rented youths had protested at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, calling for the reopening of an investigation on Bello Matawalle over some contracts he awarded as the governor of Zamfara State between 2019 and 2023.
In the statement, Gusau said one Abdulaziz Yakubu, one of the alleged hired protesters, confessed that he and others were recruited at Suleja, Niger state, and brought to Abuja, Daily Independent reported.
He said the youths, most of whom could not read, were unaware that they were hired to protest against Matawalle, who is now minister of defence for the state, adding that they regretted their participation.
Continuing, Gusau said Jaji and the current governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal, were involved, adding that the lawmaker failed to exonerate himself even though he tried to.
Meanwhile, Gusau said the alleged attempt to smear Matawalle’s reputation is connected with the politics of 2027.
According to the group, Jaji is afraid of Matawalle’s rising profile, especially with the role the latter played in the victory of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
Gusau described Matawalle as the people’s leader who is committed to performing his task as the defence minister (state).
The group, therefore, urged politicians to close ranks in the national interest, noting that Nigerians are watching as power resides in the people.
Meanwhile, Meanwhile, TimesNow.com.ng recalls that Matawalle once accused the immediate past EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of demanding a $2 million bribe from him.
He made the allegation after the EFCC in May 2023, disclosed that he was being investigated over the alleged diversion of N70 billion from the Zamfara state treasury.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
