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Seeks Defence Minister’s Forgiveness
- Safiu Kehinde
A group of former loyalists to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has made a shocking public confession on how they were paid over N500 million for a smear campaign against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The four-man group under the aegis of ‘Repentant Blackmailers) made the confession during a press conference organised on Monday.
Aryan Abdulkareem, the group’s coordinator, recounted how they were being recruited by the spokesperson to Dauda, Sule Bala Idris, with the task of generating and circulating false narrative and deliberate misinformation against Matawalle.
Abdulkareem disclosed how they engaged prominent members of the public and influencers which include political commentators, social media influencers, conventional media platforms, and notable public figures in Zamfara state.
“We stand before you today to make a sincere and open confession regarding our past involvement in a coordinated effort that targeted a former governor and Minister for State Defence, Bello Matawalle.
“In a coordinated effort to target with a false narrative and deliberate misinformation. We wish to state this clearly and without any form of ambiguity that we were sponsored and guided in these activities by individuals working directly under the administration of the present governor, Dauda Lawal.
“The sponsorship came through the governor’s spokesman, Sule Bala Idris, who convened and sponsored several meetings where were briefed, instructed and resource being mobilised.
“The total final provision for this operation was above N500 million deliberately allocated to recruit voices across Nigeria. This includes political commentators, social media influencers, conventional media platforms, and notable public figures in Zamfara state.
“We were part of the machinery. We accepted the roles that were assigned to us. We participated in the circulation of damaging contents even when we knew it did not reflect the truth.” He said.
While admitted that carrying out the task under political pressure and financial involvement, the repentant blackmailers apologised for their actions while demanded Matawallae’s forgiveness.
“At this time, we chose political pressure and financial indulgent over our own conscience.
“Today, we acknowledged the gravity of what we did. We now understand the emotional harm, reputational damage and deep distress our actions brought to the Minister of Defence for State, Bello Matawalle.
“We have realised that we acted against fairness, justice, and principles of responsible public recourse.
“On behalf of our colleagues, I stand here to tender apology. We ask for forgiveness from the Minister for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle. We asked to be forgiven by him and also ask for forgiveness from every citizens who have been misled by our materials we produced or circulated.” Tey said.
The group further expressed readiness to face the consequences of their action.
“This apology comes from a place of genuine remorse and moral awakening. We also want to state publicly that we are ready to face any consequences that may arise from these revelations.
“We possess clear evidence of every step taken in this operation, including record of our meetings with the goveror’s spokesperson, Suleiman Idris.
“We are prepared to cooperate with any investigation on inquiry that competent authorities may wish to pursue.
“Our collective decision to come forward is drive by a desire to correct the wrongs we participated in and to encourage others who were also involved to find the courage to speak to the truth.
“This is not an easy step for us, but it is a necessary one that we must take.’ He said.
On questions asked whether they were bankrolled to make the confession, Abdulkareem said they never collected a dime from Matawalle.
“One, we did not collect any dime from him and have not been paid from any of the minister’s aide or the minister directly.
“We came out here to confess and to apologise for the damage. As a good citizen of this country and the state, we have that conscience. We want a better Nigeria. We want a better Zamfara, So, we are acting based on our conscience.
“Secondly the damage has been done, we feel remorse. We have to go back to the platform to apologise to the various platforms.’ He added.
Other members of the group include John Osumbor Mark. Lucky Orimu, and Olukayode Willliams