Commissioner who dumped Matawalle’s cabinet is originally from Imo – Sources

By ISMAIL MUDASHIR

Hajiya Rabi Shinkafi, the former Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs in Zamfara State, is originally from Imo, according to sources.

Shinkafi made the headlines after she resigned from the cabinet of Governor Bello Matawalle to pick up another appointment in Imo State.

A top source in Zamfara State Government House told Daily Trust that she is originally from Imo but married to someone from Shinkafi LGA of the state.

The source said the commissioner was born in Imo and that her father is a popular traditional ruler there.

“She became an indigene of Zamfara State on marital ground as she is married to a retired top civil servant from Shinkafi LGA of the state,” he said.

He said she was appointed commissioner under Matawalle’s administration to represent Shinkafi LGA.

“She is only going back home. Her father is a traditional ruler in Imo State. It is the slot of Shinkafi LGA that was given to her by Matawalle,” the source said.

Another source who also confirmed that she is originally from Imo, said she succumbed to pressure from her home state.

“Shortly after she was nominated as commissioner in Zamfara, the Imo governor also nominated her for same position. Since then, there has been pressure on her to dump Zamfara for Imo,” the source, a governor’s aide, said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Shinkadfi confirmed that she was joining the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led government in Imo State.

“I resigned my appointment as commissioner in Zamfara to enable me to pick another appointment as commissioner in Imo. I am immensely grateful to Governor Bello Matawalle and his wife, Hajiya Aisha, for their kindness to me and for giving me the opportunity to serve Zamfara in different capacities.

“All the speculations in the social media about my resignation are completely false; it was just the work of mischief-makers.

“I have a perfect and cordial relationship with the governor and his wife. I consider them as my family and they are in the picture of my going to Imo.

“Both Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Matawalle discussed it as fellow APC governors and as friends too,’’ she said. (Daily Trust)