The North West zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has has threatened to sue the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Zamfara State, over allegations that the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, provided palliatives to bandits.
Demanding evidence to support such allegations, the APC said that failure to provide evidence backing such a dangerous claim will result in legal action against the accusers.
The APC North West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Musa Mada, told journalists at a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday that they recognise the importance of constructive criticism in politics, said it would not condone slanderous attacks that undermine freedom of speech.
Mada accused the PDP-led government in Zamfara State of persistently engaging in character assassination against Matawalle, the immediate past Governor of the State.
Insisting that the serious allegations against Matawalle cannot be ignored, the APC said that those behind the “fake news” must either substantiate their claims or issue a public apology to the Minister.
According to the APC: “It has come to our notice that some unscrupulous elements in this geopolitical zone, particularly Zamfara State, made it their daily habit of using instruments of mainstream and the new media to tarnish the image of our party leaders.
“Without mincing words, we as a party strongly suspect this slanderous propaganda to have been sponsored by individuals very much related to the PDP government in Zamfara State.
“In fact, we have particular suspects as we mentioned one among the rest and we are confident that we will get hold of all the necessary evidence that we will use against them in the court of law as an investigation into the matter is already ongoing.
“If no action is taken from the side of the sponsors of this fake news on expiration of the ultimatum, on 14th April 2024, legal action will be instituted against them.”
Condemning the habit of tarnishing the image of its leaders through unfounded allegations, the ruling party lamented that such actions undermine the integrity of the party and its members.
APC added: “As a party, we concede that slandering any of our members with ulterior motives is as good as attacking the structural foundation of our great party, which is intolerable, let alone defaming the character and questioning the integrity of our leaders who earned their reputation through selfless service to the greater good of the entire nation.
“While we welcome positive criticism from the opposition that does not violate the provisions of freedom of speech, we will not condone any form of vituperation that overstepped boundaries of provisions of the laws of the land.
“This grave allegation can never be overlooked, therefore, sponsors must either provide proof of the alleged foodstuff distribution or tender apology to the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle in the pages of at least two national dailies within two weeks from now.”