The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has said Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle would be pardoned on the condition that he vacates his seat for the former Deputy Governor of the State, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau and returns as an ordinary member of the party.
Addressing newsmen in Gusau, the State secretary of the party, Ahmad Farouq Shettima Rigiya said the PDP was very optimistic that it would reclaim its lost mandate from the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“The case is already in the court of competent jurisdiction and we are not afraid of battling the case to a logical end”
He added.
Rijiya claimed the best solution for Matawalle was to return to the party so as not to suffer the same fate as David Umahi.
The PDP hinted that it was aware of plans by Matawalle to eat the humble pie and return to the party through which he became the state Governor in 2019, seeing that his case was before the same judge, in the same court where Umahi was sacked.
“Matawalle should know that he did not win the governorship election in 2019 but the mandate was given to the PDP by the supreme court”
“There were two major reasons that compelled him to think of returning to PDP. It was reliably gathered that things have gone far to the extent of his godfather, and a highly influential minister has stopped picking his calls, while the issue of court judgement may not favour him”
“Governor Matawalle knows that we in the PDP were not being treated fairly before his defection to APC. He saw many of PDP members as enemies who he could never forgive and that was why he single-handedly and illegally impeached the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu, who refused to defect to the APC with him”
“He also vowed to smear the good image of a statesman and a three-time National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau (rtd). The PDP in Zamfara State will despite all these, readmit Governor Matawalle but, on the condition, he abdicates his governorship and tender unreserved apology to the party at all levels, people of the state and the entire nation in a press conference with national dailies”
“Again, all the 23 PDP members of the State House of Assembly should do the same by leaving their positions except the only PDP lawmaker in the House”
“By witnessing such, the PDP being the true custodian of democracy, will draw a line and accept their repentance with immediate effect and offer them equal treatment as other loyal members “
