Zamfara APC Accuses Hon. Jaji of Betrayal, Claims He Owes His Rise to Matawalle and Yari

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have launched a scathing attack on Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, the lawmaker representing Birnin Magaji/Kaura Namoda Federal Constituency, accusing him of disloyalty and political betrayal.

In a statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Abdulkadir Suleiman Zurmi, the APC members claimed that Jaji owed his political rise to former Zamfara State governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, as well as Senator Abdullaziz Yari. They alleged that despite receiving support from these key figures, Jaji had turned against them.

Zurmi accused Jaji of “biting the fingers that fed him” and pointed out that Matawalle had helped revive Jaji’s political career after the 2023 elections. He further stressed that Jaji holds no significant political influence in Zamfara and would not have been able to win any elections without the backing of Matawalle and Yari.

“Nigerians, especially the people of Zamfara, should note that Jaji holds no significant influence in the state’s political landscape,” Zurmi stated. “Now that Matawalle and Yari have helped him, he is turning against them. Jaji cannot even win an election on his own if left to handle it independently.”

The group also questioned Jaji’s claim of spending N25 billion (approximately $27 million) during the 2023 presidential election, challenging him to disclose the source of such substantial funds. They suggested that his statements were nonsensical and questioned the legitimacy of his business dealings.

Jaji, who was recently suspended from the APC in Zamfara State, has also been accused of undermining President Bola Tinubu. The APC group criticized him for allegedly siding with Governor Dauda Lawal of the PDP while sidelining APC leaders. They pointed to an event in Birnin Magaji where Jaji reportedly invited Lawal but ignored key APC figures.

The statement urged Jaji to realign himself with the party, respect senior politicians, and stop what they called “double-dealing.” The APC members warned that continued attacks on President Tinubu and party leaders could have negative consequences for his political future.

The group also accused Jaji of undermining President Tinubu’s interests, despite the fact that his associates, Mansur Khalifa and Dan Maigoro, had secured presidential appointments. According to the APC members, Jaji’s actions suggested he was still loyal to the PDP, as evidenced by his support for Governor Dauda Lawal in Zamfara.

“Despite two of his close associates benefiting from presidential appointments, Jaji continues to work against the president due to his strong ties with the PDP and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal Dare,” Zurmi stated. “His actions within his zone openly demonstrate his support for the PDP, revealing where his true loyalties lie.”

Additionally, the group claimed Jaji had attempted to block Tinubu’s emergence during the 2023 presidential election, although APC leaders like Yari and Matawalle were instrumental in ensuring the party’s victory.

The APC also pointed to Governor Dauda Lawal’s actions in Zamfara, where he suspended APC members in the state House of Assembly, with the exception of two Jaji loyalists, in recognition of Jaji’s alleged role in undermining the party’s success in favor of the PDP.

Jaji’s failed bid for Speaker of the House, which was allegedly against Tinubu’s wishes, has fueled further speculation about his opposition to the president.

“Despite his fallout with the presidency, his associates continue to benefit from government appointments, raising concerns that these positions are being used to undermine Tinubu,” Zurmi said. “Jaji is forging an alliance with the opposition to strengthen Dauda’s influence in Zamfara, an act seen as a betrayal of the APC.”

Zurmi emphasized that figures like Matawalle and Yari, with their extensive political careers, should not be overshadowed by Jaji’s current position.

“Matawalle has served as a commissioner, a member of the House of Representatives, a one-term governor, and now the Minister of State for Defence. Similarly, Yari is a former governor and current senator,” Zurmi stated. “Therefore, the position of a House of Representatives member should not inflate one’s ego or lead to misconduct, as it does not compare to their political stature.”