Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has met with 85 All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly aspirants from Zamfara State who were not cleared in the party’s screening exercise.
The meeting, held at his residence in Gusau, focused on reconciliation efforts within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Matawalle urged the aspirants to remain calm, united and committed to the growth of the APC despite the outcome of the screening process, assuring them that their grievances were being addressed.
The aspirants, led by Sulaiman Shu’aibu Shinkafi, expressed appreciation to the former governor for what they described as his leadership style and efforts to promote unity within the party.
Responding, Matawalle said the party’s National Working Committee was reviewing the petitions submitted by aggrieved aspirants and urged them to exercise patience.
He reiterated that the APC remains committed to fairness, justice and equal opportunity for all members.
He said the government was intensifying efforts to address insecurity in parts of the country, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West.
The minister commended the aspirants for their unity and maturity, describing their willingness to work for the success of the party as encouraging.
The meeting was part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening internal cohesion within the APC in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also present were former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mukhtar Ahmad Anka, former Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Bature Umar Sambo and Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya; APC State Secretary, Ibrahim Maigandi; and APC Auditor, Yusuf Idris Gusau, among other stakeholders.