In an extraordinary moment in Nigeria’s political history, Bello Matawalle against all odds became the executive governor of Zamfara state. The great American author Lemony Snicket wrote “People don’t always get what they deserve in this world” but Mr Matawalle got what he deserved, and that is, to be the governor of Zamfara state. He set out to become the 4th executive governor of the young state created out of Sokoto state in 1996. After unanimously emerging the flag bearer of opposition PDP, by his assessment Bello Matawalle a 3 time honorable member of the Federal House of Representative deserve to win the March 9 governorship election as the governor of the state. But in a Nigeria young politics bedridden with so much political anomalies opposition candidates don’t always win. Especially , when the state ruling party is also at the federal, such was the case in Zamfara. Such was the background of Zamfara political terrene towards the March 9,2019 elections.
HOW APC SHOT ITSELF
As was typical of APC in most states in 2019 elections, as the ruling party in Zamfara it equally got embroiled into internal im•bro•glios that prevented the party from conducting a credible primaries. A week to election day , the party still did not have governorship candidate in the state as the electoral authority [INEC] insisted that there was no primaries. However, just 48hrs to the election APC conjured up a court ruling that forced INEC to register Muktar Idris as their candidate. To many observers, it was a sign of expected manipulation that will happen during the elections as the ruling party waged in with power of incumbency both at state and federal levels to ensure Bello Matawalle does not win. Eventually, when INEC collation officer for the state, Kabiru Bala, a professor at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, announced after the elections that APC candidate polled 534,541 to defeat Mr Matawalle who got a distant 189,452. Nigerians knew that APC has finally and successfully hatched their sinister plans.
But what many did not see coming was that Mr Matawalle will eventuality be sworn in as the governor elect.
THE MIRACLE THAT HAPPENED
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday 24 May ruled against the victory of APC in the state. The court said the APC did not conduct valid primaries in the buildup to the 2019 general elections in Zamfara. As such all elections won by APC in the state including governorship , federal houses and state house are nullified and the second placed candidates became winners. The news of the ruling was like a tornado that shook the country Nigeria and even resonated beyond its shores.
RESTORED MANDATE
Because of this historic ruling on this election, in this defining moment, change has indeed come to Zamfara state. The vessel of this celebrated change is Governor Bello Matawalle. Perhaps there is anyone out there who still doubts that there is a miracle where all things are possible, who still wonders if his dreams can ever come true?, or anyone who still questions the power of democracy, Matawalle as governor is your answer. His victory was attained in the place of hope and destiny. Posterity has already decided for change in Zamfara state, hence it endorsed his agent Matawalle. This is the reason a thousand Oshimoles, a million Abubakar Yari’s nor federal, encumbency powers could not stop him from becoming the governor of Zamfara state.
ZAMFARA IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH MATAWALLE
It is not for no ordinary reason that posterity sanctioned Matawalle to become the governor at this strategic period in the history of the state. It is obviously for good reasons. Matawalle emerged the consensus candidate of PDP after stakeholders zeroed on him as the most outstanding candidate to neutralize the forces drawing back the developmental hands of Zamfara state. And indeed he is.
“As the most outstanding philanthropist in the entire Zamfara State, Matawalle is almost always the best choice for our people; he is familiar with our problems, as a two-time commissioner; he was an employer of labour for our teeming youth, even out of government and this is an unforgettable goodwill”, argued Alhaji Shehu Maradun, a PDP chieftain in the State.
Matawalle, who was a three-term member of the National Assembly representing Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency was unanimously selected to fly the PDP flag following his massive endorsement acceptance by the party’s stakeholders.
Presenting Matawalole as the party’s candidate in Gusau, the Zamfara state chairman of the party, Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha said the party decided to adopt Matawalle based on his pedigree as a grassroots politician, who is loved by the people.
Responding, Matawalle promised to carry all party members along in the processes of governance when elected governor in 2019.
He added that his administration will prioritize youth empowerment through the creation and provision of employment to the teeming youths of the state.
Zamfara people are bussing with great joy, expectations and hope. In Governor Matawalle the have a miracle governor who is poised to perform miracle. Congratulation our MIRACLE governor His Excellency
Bello Muhammad Matawalle (Matawallen Maradun)
The divine destiny that made you governor will also preserve and empower you to meet the aspirations of Zamfara people. (Insha Allah).