Arewa Youth Leader Rejects $50,000 Bribe to Blackmail Defence Minister Matawalle

Zakari Haruna, Kaduna 

Ambassador Abdul Danbature, a prominent leader within the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) and a key figure in the End Bad Governance protests in Nigeria, has publicly disclosed that he was offered $50,000 to blackmail the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. 

Abdul Danbature revealed that the offer, which he turned down, came from foreign interests through an agent based in Nigeria.

He explained that the proposal involved a sustained campaign of press conferences and press releases designed to tarnish the reputation of Minister Matawalle over a period of two months and two weeks. 

The campaign was aimed at damaging Matawalle's relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of Zamfara State.

"They offered me $50,000 to blackmail the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and to tarnish his image and his cordial working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the good people of Zamfara State," Danbature said. 

He further disclosed that notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji, who recently appeared in a viral video making unsubstantiated allegations against the Minister, was also offered the same amount to carry out a similar smear campaign.

Ambassador Danbature emphasized that the youth he represents are committed to upholding good governance and leadership, and will not be swayed by financial incentives to engage in character assassination or political blackmail. 

He stated that he felt compelled to speak out to expose individuals who seek to exploit such tactics for political gain.

"The youths which I represent are committed to good governance and leadership and will not in any form allow themselves to be given to any form of gratification for image slandering and blackmail of any government personality, individual, or organization," he asserted.

Danbature also praised Minister Matawalle for his contributions to stabilizing the security situation in the country, noting that Matawalle had given his best as the former Governor of Zamfara State and continues to play a significant role in national security efforts.

"I wish to use this medium to call on all and sundry that I cannot, neither can our group, be used to malign anybody in an attempt to settle political scores," Danbature stressed.

His statement serves as a warning to other youth leaders and the general public to remain vigilant against attempts by unscrupulous individuals to manipulate them for political purposes.