The Federal Government has acknowledged that Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle is exercising his right to free expression by requesting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) expand its investigation to include the president and outgoing ministers.
WITHIN NIGERIA previously reported that Governor Matawalle challenged the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to focus on President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet members rather than governors, emphasizing the need for a thorough, non-selective investigation.
In his statement, Governor Matawalle stated;
The investigation must be wholistic and not selective. It is in this respect that the recent invitations and pronouncement by the EFCC Chair is imbalance, incomplete, hypocritical, and unnecessarily skewed.
I demand that the EFCC chair extend similar invitations to officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council, which is the highest tier of government in the country.
However, the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, responded by affirming that the governor’s remarks reflect his personal opinion and right to make suggestions.
When asked about Governor Matawalle’s comments, Minister Mohammed stated, “The governor has the right to make suggestions; that is his own opinion.”
The government’s position indicates that Governor Matawalle’s statements are regarded as his personal opinion rather than an official government position.
It respects his freedom of expression and his right to express personal views on matters of public concern.
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