The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, to publicly provide evidence backing his recent allegations linking APC leaders to banditry and high-profile kidnappings in the region.
Following an emergency meeting of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) held Tuesday, APC State Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani condemned what he described as “reckless and defamatory” statements made by Kaura in an online video interview with Maibiredi TV.
“Mustapha Kaura’s outbursts amount to direct attacks on respected leaders and can no longer be tolerated,” Danfulani stated.
APC: Allegations are malicious and politically motivated
Kaura reportedly claimed that over 300 students kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara (Katsina State) in December 2020 were victims of a staged operation involving former Zamfara governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed.
He also alleged that former governor Muhammad received ₦300 million from former Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari for facilitating the release of the students, but only paid ₦30 million to the abductors.
The APC has rejected these claims as baseless and malicious.
“The party is taking legal action, not to seek an apology, but to compel Kaura to substantiate these grave allegations with credible evidence,” Danfulani emphasized.
Legal action imminent
According to APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party has directed its legal team to sue Kaura and potentially Maibiredi TV, the platform that aired the interview, which the APC alleges “appeared scripted and premeditated.”
Kaura will be asked to provide proof regarding several other high-profile kidnappings, including:
The February 2021 abduction of 279 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe
The kidnapping of Kaya school students in Maradun LGA
The attack on students from the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura
The APC insists these rescue operations were successfully executed under Matawalle’s administration.
Party defends Muhammad, Yari
The party also condemned Kaura’s derogatory remarks, including accusations that Muhammad is “ungrateful to God” and “hallucinating.” The APC described these as disrespectful and targeted attempts to undermine the offices of the Minister and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, former Zamfara Governor and current senator representing Zamfara West.
“These insults go beyond politics. They’re aimed at belittling national offices and diverting attention from the current government’s failures,” the party said.
Accusations a distraction from Dauda Lawal’s failures — APC
The APC claimed the PDP-led administration is using Kaura’s statements to deflect from worsening insecurity under Governor Dauda Lawal’s leadership. The party described the attacks on Matawalle as a sign of fear due to his growing popularity.
“Rather than address the insecurity crisis, the PDP government is spreading falsehoods to discredit APC leaders,” Gusau stated.
The party called on its members and supporters to remain calm, urging the public to allow the courts to handle the matter.
“We urge our leaders to stay focused and allow the legal process to run its course. Justice will prevail,” Gusau added.
