Leaked Audio: How Zamfara Governor, Matawalle Wastes Taxpayers’ Money, Lures Relatives Of Political Opponent With N20 Million

According to leaked recordings, Bello Matawalle, the governor of Zamfara State, lavished N20 million on five relatives of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, a former federal legislator, in an apparent attempt to win them over.

At the time, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State was split into two factions, according to SaharaReporters.

One party swore allegiance to Governor Matawalle, while the other rallied to Marafa’s camp.

Matawalle switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Progressive Congress (APC) in June 2021.

In an audio clip obtained by SaharaReporters, roughly five Marafa relatives were overheard in Hausa discussing how the governor enticed them with N20 million.

According to them, the governor instructed them to inform the public that the former lawmaker failed to assist members of his family and promised to compensate them if they completed the task.

They were also overheard discussing how they split N1 million while waiting for the remaining N19 million.

“Are you aware that the N20 million has been set aside by the governor for us? We have shared the N1 million while waiting for the balance of N19 million. Our list has been submitted to the governor. We will join his camp,” one of them said in the audio.

However, one of them, Alhaji Sanusi Mayana Gusau, the lawmaker’s uncle, warned the other, saying they should be careful of the dangers of ingratitude.

Marafa, he claimed, had done and was still doing a lot to empower and help many family members.

He claimed that Marafa, whom the governor was attacking with government money, provided the vehicle and even the clothing that the five relatives drove and wore to the Government House.

Marafa is a descendant of Sambo Dan Ashafa, the founder of Gusau, the current capital of Zamfara State.

When SaharaReporters approached Zailani Bappa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media, and Communications, for comment, he claimed the recording was made by the state’s opposition.

“Do you remember the alleged audio of former Inspector General of Police on the Security Report in the state? Was it not later debunked as bunkum by the same former IG where he distanced himself from the alleged audio?
“This is the style of the opposition in Zamfara state….trumped-up,” he said.