The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has challenged Governor Dauda Lawal to make public names of victims of bandits’ attacks for whom his administration had offered free medical care.
The APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, was reacting to a statement where the governor, Dauda Lawal, said his administration’s fight against armed banditry and the general renovation will give free medical care to victims of bandit attacks.
The party claimed that the Governor is celebrating his second anniversary with a failed promise which he made during his governorship campaign ahead of the 2023 elections that he will eliminate armed banditry in the state within the first two months into the administration and now, it’s getting into the third year with the case worsening.
It said all their complaints as opposition party in the state are just like the complaints coming from other citizens of the state that the Zamfara State government under Governor Lawal has done almost nothing to ameliorate the sufferings of its citizens under the clutches of bandits and other criminals.
Unfortunately and sadly too, the governor who hardly showed any sympathy to victims of bandits attack which expectedly supposed to have been directly by himself or at worst through powerful delegation to rekindle people’s hopes over the loss of either their loved ones, their property and other means of livelihood, will instead be going from one place to another or other states and countries enjoying his life with friends and family members.
Then came the question of how his government handles victims of gunshot wounds, and he dared to tell the Zamfara people in particular, Nigerians and the whole world that they received free treatment at the Yariman Bakura Specialist hospital and federal medical centre, Gusau, in the state capital.
The APC said that with the support coming from the government, it expects the governor to give the records of those treated free of charge courtesy of his government and costs incurred with detailed information of the victims, but none.
The party expects that reporters might have visited the hospitals rather than this disturbing fabrication from the number one citizen of the state.
Additionally, APC expected the journalists to press further to ask what happens to victims located far away from the two healthcare facilities in the state capital, even if they were to come from places as close as Tsafe local government.
The party challenged the governor or the two healthcare facilities to publish names of those beneficiaries with details of their names, villages, local government and the dates of their incidents and the amount spent and the payment vouchers or receipts.
The APC said the governor must apologise to the citizens and Nigerians for not telling the truth, and start being very sincere and willing always in the fight against banditry.
The party also wants the governor to join hands with well meaning stakeholders to fully contain the menace as well as fully support victims in the most deserving way or keep his mouth to avoid embarrassment.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
