The Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Forum has accused former governorship aspirant, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, of launching what it described as “malicious and envious attacks” against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle.
In a statement issued on Friday, the forum said Shinkafi’s recent criticisms of Matawalle were borne out of “frustration and loss of political relevance” in Zamfara State.
According to the group, Shinkafi’s political career only gained traction through Matawalle’s support and benevolence, alleging that he had “never won even a ward-level election” until Matawalle brought him into political prominence in 2019.
“Before Matawalle became governor, Shinkafi was a rejected politician with no direction. Out of magnanimity, Matawalle gave him recognition and appointments, yet he repaid such kindness with betrayal,” the statement read.
The forum further described Shinkafi’s criticisms as “the cries of a political orphan seeking attention,” adding that his frequent party defections and alleged opportunism had rendered him politically irrelevant in Zamfara.
“His endless ranting is only a reflection of his failure to remain politically useful. The people of Zamfara know his history of jumping from one party to another in search of money and recognition—only to end up with nothing each time,” the group stated.
Expressing unwavering support for Matawalle, the APC youths hailed his record of service as a former governor and now Minister of State for Defence, commending his contributions to national security and the unity of the APC.
“We, the Zamfara APC Youth Forum, stand firmly with Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, a man of proven integrity, loyalty, and leadership,” the forum declared.
It also urged Shinkafi to desist from “cheap propaganda and blackmail,” warning that Zamfara youths would not allow “desperate politicians” to sow division within the APC.
The forum reaffirmed that the Zamfara APC remains united under the leadership of Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Dr Bello Matawalle, vowing to deliver total victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.