A fresh political storm is brewing in Zamfara State as a group known as the Zamfara State Concerned Citizens has announced plans to institute legal proceedings against former Governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, over allegations concerning his educational qualifications.

The group, led by Barrister Musa Abdullahi, alleged that Matawalle relied on a certificate obtained from the Vocational Training Centre, Bunza, to secure election into public office and later appointment as a minister, despite what it described as questions surrounding the qualification’s compliance with constitutional requirements.

In a media statement signed on its behalf, Barrister Abdullahi said the group had concluded consultations and was preparing legal action aimed at testing the validity of the credentials before a court of competent jurisdiction.

According to him, public offices are positions of trust that demand honesty, transparency and strict compliance with the law.

The group argued that the use of forged or invalid educational credentials to secure public office, if established by a court, amounts to a grave violation of public trust and undermines the integrity of democratic institutions.

Barrister Abdu maintained that Nigerian laws criminalize forgery, certificate falsification and false declaration, stressing that any public official found guilty of such offences should face appropriate legal consequences.

“We believe that no individual should be allowed to benefit from public office through misrepresentation. The law must apply equally to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” he said.

The group further argued that where a public office holder is found to have obtained office through false credentials, such a person may face disqualification, removal from office and prosecution in accordance with applicable laws.

It also contended that salaries, allowances, benefits and privileges allegedly obtained through such misrepresentation should be recovered by the appropriate authorities.

In a strongly worded statement, the Zamfara State Concerned Citizens said public officials must be held to the highest ethical standards, warning that failure to address allegations of credential fraud could send the wrong signal to young Nigerians and weaken public confidence in governance.

The group also criticized Matawalle’s public interventions on security matters, accusing him of making statements capable of generating unnecessary controversy at a time citizens expect reassurance and constructive engagement from leaders.

According to Barrister Abdu, the planned court action is not only about one individual but about protecting the sanctity of public office and ensuring that honesty remains a fundamental requirement for leadership.

He said the legal challenge would also serve as a deterrent to anyone who might contemplate using false information or questionable credentials to gain access to public office.

The Zamfara State Concerned Citizens insisted that accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law remain essential pillars of democracy and vowed to pursue the matter through all lawful channels.

As of the time of filing this report, Matawalle had not publicly responded to the latest allegations.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kwara State Chapter, has reiterated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state remains united, peaceful, and firmly aligned with the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

ALGON made the clarification following reactions to a recent press conference by some individuals, stressing that the views expressed did not represent the position of the 16 local government areas in the state.

A statement by the spokesman of the State ALGON, Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, said: “The individuals who spoke at the press conference did so in their personal capacity and did not represent any local government council or its leadership in Kwara State.

“The gathering in question was not in consultation with the recognised elders’ caucuses across the 16 local government areas, and as such does not reflect any formal or collective decision of party structures.”

ALGON has, therefore, restated that the APC primary election held on Friday, 22nd May 2026 was duly conducted in line with party guidelines, with members freely participating in the process, adding that the exercise produced Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, as the duly emerged candidate, and the association urged all stakeholders to respect the outcome.

The association maintained that there is no crisis within the Kwara APC, adding that the party remains stable, focused, and committed to the continued development agenda of the AbdulRazaq-led administration.

It further noted that APC remains a united family where internal democracy produces both winners and those who may not emerge successful, stressing that all members are ultimately working towards a common goal of party success and good governance in Kwara State.

According to ALGON, the APC in Kwara State has continued to grow stronger under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership, due to the discipline, loyalty, and commitment of party members to collective interest over personal ambitions.

The association therefore urged party faithful and members of the public to disregard narratives capable of causing division, and instead focus on strengthening unity and consolidating the developmental achievements already recorded across the state.

A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier to death by hanging after the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully prosecuted her for conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism, the second death sentence secured by the DSS in the month of June.

The convict, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park, Katsina State, while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Dunburum Forest, Zamfara State.

On 3rd June, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives.

Security sources revealed that, in Katsina, the DSS filed a two-count charge against Hauwa’u Mukhtar
before High Court No. 3, Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.

After evaluating the totality of evidence, witness testimonies, tendered exhibits, and final addresses of both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Mukhtar guilty on both counts.

The judge subsequently sentenced the convict to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.

“The successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions.’, stated the source.

It could be recalled that, about a month ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced one Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism marking the second conviction of a female arms courier secured by the DSS this year.