Through the Civil Society Advocacy Groups for Accountability and Probity, the demonstrators specifically urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to use his clout with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Matawalle's dismissal.
The demonstrators, led by Danesi Momoh, asserted that Matawalle could not be trusted with the position of Defence Minister in light of the Zamfara State government's publication of "Pandora's Box," which revealed that he had deliberately embezzled billions of Naira through dubious contract negotiations, including the Gusau Cargo Airport.
"For a Senate that has since inauguration, been preaching anti-corruption and socioeconomic hygiene, allowing a man of questionable character like Bello Matawalle pass your screening without you doing anything to remedy it when the facts are out is a direct mockery of your avowed legislative objectives," the protestors wrote in their petition addressed to the Senate President.
"Your Excellency would remember that, after Matawelle's tenure as the Governor of Zamfara State, a great number of well-meaning Nigerians fiercely opposed his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
"Perhaps one of the biggest errors of this administration was giving the Defense Portfolio to a corrupt and ineffective leader who allegedly courted bandits, but it can be fixed with the Senate's input."
It should be noted that Bello Matawalle's unlawful hoarding of all utility vehicles owned by the Zamfara State Government soon after he was forced from office, as well as the uproar that followed his unsportsmanlike actions, paint him as a kleptomaniac who stands in direct opposition to advancement and development.
"We fear that this could be repeated in the Ministry of Defense, which would be detrimental to our valiant military personnel." Governor Dauda Lawal had to battle to get those cars back and prevent the poor people of Zamfara State from using even more of their limited resources to buy new cars when they already had a large number of stolen vehicles.
"A Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is held to very high standards. They have to be people with impeccable morals and a track record of integrity. Regretfully, Matawalle's lackluster revelations from the Zamfara State Government have exposed his severely lacking integrity and character.
"He falsely refuted the accusations of embezzling billions of Naira through the Zamfara Cargo Airport project on Friday, October 20, 2023; this event prompted the State Government to produce proof to support the charges.
Pictures and updates on financial records pertaining to the unfinished Gusau International (Cargo) Airport project were included in the evidence. In addition to being embezzled, money intended for combating insecurity and safeguarding our territorial integrity will wind up in the hands of terrorists and bandits who lack accountability if a blatant liar like Matawelle is permitted to continue serving in that position or any other.
"Your Excellency, the information that has recently been made public about Matawalle's financial mismanagement and administrative misbehavior is sickening and terrifying. There is an urgent need to act. And to rekindle some faith in sound governance, we urge the Senate to intervene and make sure he is gone right away.
Additionally, let us reassure you that although we are aware of the potential limitations of your duty, it is crucial that you fulfill it in the benefit of the country. Additionally, we will be putting more and more pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at whose desk the responsibility for his replacement lies. The Senate just needs to do its share.
"Matawalle is a man with a tarnished personality and a threat to national security." His membership on the Federal Executive Council is inappropriate. The Senate need to assist in gradually removing him from public office.
The national Assembly's Director Sergeant at Arms, Malam Salihu Abdullahi, who received the petition on behalf of the Senate President, expressed his delight with the demonstrators' peaceful and orderly behavior and promised to take their complaints to the proper authorities.