By Oscar Okhifo
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has gifted sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly following their decision to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and reaffirm their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The vehicles were presented to the lawmakers as part of efforts to strengthen the APC and mobilise grassroots support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle’s Personal Assistant on Media, each of the eight lawmakers received a 2019/2020-model GMC Terrain SUV.
Representing the minister at the presentation, Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani said the gesture fulfilled Matawalle’s promise to work closely with the lawmakers, empower them and promote unity within the party in Zamfara State.
He added that the minister remained committed to supporting the legislators and ensuring their well-being.
The statement said the beneficiaries would also be integrated into the Tinubu Again Movement, founded and convened by Matawalle, to collaborate with other political stakeholders in mobilising grassroots support for Tinubu’s re-election and the success of other APC candidates in 2027.
The beneficiaries are Aliyu Ango Kagara of Talata Mafara South Constituency; Ibrahim Tukur Bakura of Bakura Constituency; Faruk Musa Dosara of Maradun I Constituency; Bashir Abubakar Masama of Bukkuyum North Constituency; Mukhtar Nasiru Kaura of Kaura North Constituency; Nasiru Abdullahi of Maru North Constituency; Bashar Bello of Bungudu West Constituency; and Bashar Aliyu of Gummi I Constituency.
The presentation followed a meeting between the lawmakers and Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on October 18. Matawalle facilitated the meeting as part of efforts to consolidate the APC’s position ahead of the 2027 elections.
At the meeting, the lawmakers reaffirmed their support for the President’s re-election, pledged to work for the success of other APC candidates and declared their intention to remain in the ruling party.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Kagara thanked Matawalle for his intervention and pledged their continued cooperation with the minister in mobilising support for Tinubu.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, has been actively campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election, seeking to consolidate the APC’s grassroots support in the state and across the North through political engagements and the Tinubu Again Movement.
He served as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023 before his appointment as Minister of State for Defence.