A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress,Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticized those calling for the dismissal of Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara State.

In a statement released on Friday, the ex-Minister of Aviation dismissed the calls for President Bola Tinubu to consider removing the minister due to allegations against the former governor as a futile pursuit.

It’s worth noting that the state government recently accused the former governor of misappropriating billions of Naira intended for a cargo airport. 

This accusation has sparked demands for the minister’s removal from President Tinubu’s cabinet.

Fani-Kayode refuted the allegations as baseless, asserting that they were part of a well-funded and well-planned campaign by his adversaries in Zamfara to damage Matawalle’s reputation.

“The individuals urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss my friend and brother, Bello Matawalle, the former Governor of Zamfara State, and the current Minister of State for Defence, are chasing shadows.

“I say this because the unfounded allegations against him are false and are merely a part of a well-funded and well-orchestrated scheme by his adversaries in Zamfara State to discredit and ruin him.

“Matawalle was the first Governor in the North West to align himself with President Tinubu long before the presidential campaign even began, and he played a significant role in building trust between the North and the South West.

“He worked tirelessly day and night to achieve this, and I can attest to that.

“The idea that President Bola Tinubu would consider removing him from his cabinet simply because of the groundless allegations being spread about him, and after he has shown such unwavering support and unquestioning loyalty, is preposterous.

“Those who are after Matawalle and seeking his downfall are laboring in vain.

“I have known him for many years; he is an exceptionally good man, and he will do an excellent job as Minister of State for Defence,” the statement read.