Less than a week after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, announced the sacking of all his special advisers with immediate effect.
The recent sack followed his earlier dissolution of the state’s executive council.
The latest of the Governor’s decision was contained in a statement by the acting Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Kabiru Balarabe, issued on Saturday.
“It is hereby notified for general information that His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, (Barden Hausa, Shatiman Sokoto) has relieved all Special Advisers of their appointments,” the statement said.
The statement, however, said Mr Matawalle’s directive did not affect the special adviser to the governor on Security matters. According to him, the decision is in line with the recent defection to the APC and “to allow for an in-depth search of more but competent hands in the administration of the state, irrespective of political affiliations.”
“Accordingly, all the affected special advisers should hand over affairs of their respective offices, and government properties under them to their directors-general and/or accounting officers.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor appreciated their contributions in running the government while in office,” Mr Balarabe said in the statement. Recall that the Zamfara State Governor on Tuesday announced his defection.
Meanwhile, as Matawalle shops for a new cabinet, trying to accommodate some members of his new party in his government, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described his defection as an act of unpardonable betrayal.
In a statement made available to pressmen on Saturday, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP’s spokesman, called the governor’s defection an “unpardonable act of betrayal”, and said from Matawalle’s statement, it is clear that he joined the ruling party out of intimidation.
