The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has denied any connection to a recent press conference where its supposed chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Sani, accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of financial mismanagement.
In a swift response on Tuesday, CNF Secretary Abubakar Suleiman called the event a “shameful charade.” He claimed that agents of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, funded the event with a N200 million bribe.
CNF Disowns Press Conference
Suleiman said the press briefing aimed to smear Matawalle and divert attention from Zamfara’s growing problems.
“Governor Dauda Lawal and his allies offered N200 million to desperate individuals. They hijacked our platform to stage a scripted attack,” he stated.
He clarified that CNF did not approve or attend the event. According to Suleiman, the Forum had warned Sani not to involve CNF in political disputes.
“No meeting occurred. No one gave Sani permission. A few compromised individuals acted on their own. They don’t speak for us,” he added.
Suleiman also accused the Zamfara government of mismanaging over N10 billion in local government funds. He said the administration used the money to run smear campaigns instead of tackling insecurity and poverty.
“Zamfara is collapsing. People suffer daily, yet the government funds media stunts instead of real solutions,” he said.
He claimed that Sani recruited non-members and paid them N200,000 each to appear at the event. CNF members present refused to support him after learning of this.
Suleiman urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Governor Lawal’s handling of public funds over the past two years.
“Lawal has questions to answer. The EFCC must resist being used as a political tool,” he said.
He warned that the Forum might take legal action if the organizers do not retract their statements and issue a public apology.
CNF reaffirmed its commitment to justice and development, stating it would not serve political interests.
