20 million votes: How ‘Zanhwaranci’ is said to be obscuring Matawalle’s role

The political debate surrounding Defence Minister Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle and his growing role at the federal level has continued to generate reactions in Zamfara State, with his aide, Dr Lawal Umar Maradun, calling for a broader assessment of the minister’s activities beyond partisan politics.

Maradun, Senior Special Assistant to Matawalle, said the minister’s declaration that he would mobilise 20 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election should be understood as an expression of his political support for the President and the administration he serves.

He argued that the statement should not become another trigger for political hostility in Zamfara, urging residents to distinguish between political disagreements and the responsibilities Matawalle currently carries as a member of the Federal Executive Council.

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Beyond the “20 million votes” statement

According to Maradun, Matawalle’s recent activities have largely centred on his responsibilities in the defence sector, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and improving the capacity of the armed forces.

He cited the August 26 meeting in Abuja between Matawalle and the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, as an example of the work being undertaken to address the country’s security needs.

The discussions, he said, included strategies for ensuring that the Nigerian military receives the equipment and other resources required to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

A key area of focus, according to Maradun, was the development of Nigeria’s domestic capacity to manufacture military equipment through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

He described the development of local defence manufacturing capacity as important to reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthening Nigeria’s ability to respond to its security challenges.

Maradun expressed concern that political disagreements in Zamfara could overshadow what he considers the opportunities created by Matawalle’s position in the Federal Government.

He argued that the minister’s federal responsibilities should be viewed not only through the lens of political competition but also in terms of the potential benefits his position could bring to Zamfara and its people.

According to him, Matawalle has facilitated federal appointments and opportunities for people from Zamfara, which he said should be recognised as part of the state’s representation at the national level.

Maradun also criticised what he described as excessive political rivalry, alleging that some people were more interested in moving between political camps and spreading negative narratives than in supporting initiatives that could benefit the state.

Call for Zamfara to unite

The statement ultimately turned into a broader appeal for political unity in Zamfara.

Maradun urged residents of the state to focus their collective attention on the challenges of insecurity, poverty and economic hardship rather than allowing political differences to deepen divisions.

He called on Zamfara stakeholders to work together in finding lasting solutions to insecurity and improving economic opportunities for citizens.