The Senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial Zone, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of allegedly attempting to take his life.
Addressing journalists at his residence in Gusau on Monday, Shinkafi alleged that the minister had on several occasions sent individuals to eliminate him.
“Matawalle has been trying to eliminate me just for political reasons,” he said.
He alleged that the first incident occurred in Gusau during a wedding prayer at Rabi’a Jumu’at Mosque, where, according to him, “some heavily armed men descended on me in an attempt to kill me if not for the quick intervention of people around.”
He further claimed that the second attempt happened at his residence in Abuja, where, he said, a woman was found with a weapon and later confessed she was sent by the minister.
“I don’t know why this man (Matawalle) does not want me alive after all the help I rendered to him when he was trying to secure a second term in 2023,” he said.
Shinkafi also alleged that the minister had petitioned him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over claims that he collected government funds without executing any project.
“In the petition, he said I collected money from the government during his tenure using my company but did not execute any project,” he said.
He further alleged that Matawalle accused him of sponsoring terrorism, describing the claim as an attempt to damage his reputation.
“I was sponsoring terrorists just to tarnish my image but God so kind that the people of the state in particular and the country in general know the role I have been playing in fighting banditry,” he said.
Shinkafi maintained that funds he received during Matawalle’s tenure were used for political purposes, claiming they were part of campaign support for Matawalle’s re-election bid.
He added that his decision to purchase a nomination form for the senatorial primary election had further angered the minister.
“He is not happy that I now purchased nomination form for senatorial primary election and I said that I will not step down for anybody,” he said.
“I am calling on my family, friends and political associates to note that if I am killed or abducted at this time, they should blame nobody but Matawalle. He would be held responsible if I happen to die these days,” he added.
Efforts to reach the minister for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to repeated calls.
However, his former Director of Media and Publicity, Yusuf Idris, dismissed the allegations, saying there was no truth in Shinkafi’s claims.
Idris said the allegations were baseless and aimed at damaging the minister’s image.
“Dr Shinkafi is just trying to smear the good image of the minister,” he said.
“Let me tell you, the minister is not even aware of all these rubbish coming from Dr Shinkafi,” he added.
