Naira Redesign Policy Hinders My Re-Election, Matawalla Blames Buhari For Defeat

Governor Bello Matawalle has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to win re-election as Zamfara State Governor in the just concluded May 18 governorship election.

VerseNews Nigeria reports that Matawalle during an interview with DW Hausa which was monitored and reported by ‘DAILY NIGERIAN’ on Tuesday said his challenge on the Naira redesign policy caused his defeat on the governorship election.

He noted that the kind of soldiers that were deployed for the election in the state serves as a punishment to him from the federal government for opposing the redesign policy.

He said, “I warned my people against rigging in my favour. I wanted to be voted genuinely and allow the people’s will to be respected.

“But the kind of soldiers that were deployed for this election were alarming. We have never had this kind of military presence in the state. On seeing that, I knew that there was a hidden agenda, and that was why I didn’t even bother. I got an intelligence report of plans to punish me, (Kaduna Governor, Nasir) El-Rufai, and (Kano Governor Abdullahi) Ganduje.

“Our offence was challenging the naira policy of the federal government at the Supreme Court.”

“We have been having security challenges in the state and have been crying for help, but nobody has answered us. But a few days before the election, over 300 military trucks were sent to the state.”

However, he expressed satisfaction based on his performance for the past four years in office as governor of the state.

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He noted that God gave me the power to serve as the state’s governor for the past four years even when people doubted the possibility for him to become the number one state’s man.

He continued: “The election has been concluded, and everyone saw what happened in Zamfara, but as a Muslim, I can only give gratitude to God for the outcome.

“When God gave me the power, a lot of people never thought I would become the governor of the state, and God gave it to me.

“And if he chooses to take it back, I can’t question him. God has destined that I will serve one term, and I am fulfilled with that.

“I’m not bothered at all about losing the election. If you recall, sometime last year, I lamented to you about the security situation in Zamfara State and told you I was weary of being the governor. As a leader, it’s not good to see your people being killed or kidnapped on a daily basis.

“After my time on earth, I will give accounts of these incidents to my Creator, and they bother me every single day.”

“So, for a very long time, I got fed up with the power due to what was happening in the state. I tried my best to address the security situation, but it was beyond my powers; only God can end it.”