Ahead of 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has claimed that he will defeat the former Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, if he makes a come back to run.

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch camp to newly unveiled African Democratic Congress, ADC, following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However, the governor said he remains a member of the PDP, while also dismissing speculations that he was about to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking about what would happen if the current Minister of Defense (State) Matawalle decides to seek a ticket for the governorship position under the APC, governor Lawal said he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023 all these forces were there. They were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“What do you think will change now, in 2027 is it not the same Matawalle that I took over from? I’m praying to God that he should be the one under APC, and let’s see what will happen in 2027 I’m sure history will repeat itself.

“He’s (Matawalle) the one that will be an easier race, in fact, by 10am, it should be a walk over inshallah.”

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is building on the foundation of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Ngodo Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of the State, promising that his administration would not discriminate between Federal and State institutions in Abia.

Otti, who received the Governing Council of the new Federal Polytechnic on Wednesday, said that the institution will be of immense benefit to Abia people.

He praised the Governing Council for securing accreditation for some courses and for the construction works at the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic.

“For us, as a government, we don’t care whether an institution is Federal or State. We don’t pay so much attention to whether it is a Federal, State or local government.

“They are going to be used by our people anyhow you slice and dice it. The majority of the students in the Federal Polytechnic are Abia people”, he said.

Otti disclosed that a lot of attention was being paid to Uturu – Isuikwuato axis to further tighten security in the area, and said his administration was collaborating with security agencies to prevent every form of insecurity in his State.

Governor Otti informed his visitors about the battle he fought to dislodge criminals from Isuikwuato/Umunneochi axis of Abia, adding that he just held a security meeting with Abia State Director of DSS on on how to deal with security issues in Uturu where Abia State University is located.

Earlier, the Chairman Governing Council Federal Polytechnic Ngodo, Isuochi, Suleiman Oduwale said that the visit was to thank Governor Otti for granting Certificate of Occupancy for the permanent site of the Polytechnic and for providing other facilities and for upgrading security of the area.

Oduwale said that the improved security has sent a positive signal to parents to send their children to study in the school.