The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the call by a faction of All Progressives Congress (APC) for a state of emergency in Zamfara as a clear indication of their intimidation by the developmental strides made under Governor Dauda Lawal’s leadership.
The PDP stated this in reaction to a statement by the APC faction led by former Governor Bello Matawalle and Senator Abdulaziz Yari on Saturday calling on the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency in Zamfara State citing security concerns.
A statement by the PDP Publicity Secretary Haliru Andi said the PDP administration is focused on rectifying the maladministration that characterized 25 years of APC governance, and it is evident that the APC fears the scorecard of Governor Lawal.
The statement claimed that their action were attempts to undermine the Governor’s efforts which reflects a desperate need to salvage their political careers as the 2027 elections approaches.
The Statement read in part: “The call for a state of emergency is unfounded and deeply disrespectful to the resilient people of Zamfara State. The APC conveniently overlooks the troubling legacy of former Governor Bello Matawalle, whose misguided approach to banditry involved cozying up to warlords.
“His administration’s failure to ensure security was characterized by a disturbing pattern of accommodation, including providing Hilux vehicles and substantial financial rewards to bandits, while allowing them unrestricted access to government house.
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As a result, the citizens of Zamfara have experienced the dire consequences of this recklessness, with bandits attacking communities and finding refuge within the very corridors of power.
“The unfounded claims that Governor Dauda Lawal is sabotaging the fight against banditry in Zamfara State is a political move to undermine our ongoing efforts to address insecurity in the state.
Governor Lawal is the first in our state’s history to prioritize security with genuine commitment, contrasting sharply with the previous APC administrations.
“Unlike the APC, which has politicized the serious issue of insecurity, the PDP’s administration is committed to the peace and stability of Zamfara state. The successes we’ve seen against banditry are a direct result of Governor Lawal’s steadfast approach, refusing to engage in reconciliation with criminals. This principled stance has set a clear and firm direction in our fight against banditry.
The PDP administration led by Governor Dauda Lawal has taken significant steps, including the establishment of Community Protection Guards (CPG) and the creation of a Security Trust Fund to support conventional security forces.
Furthermore, Mr Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defense, has shown a lack of competence and empathy for the people of Zamfara. His secret negotiations with bandits, conducted without Governor Lawal’s knowledge, directly undermined the current administration’s firm stance against reconciliation with bandits.
Following the failure of these negotiations, he falsely claimed that Governor Lawal approved 1.3 billion naira in one fabricated memo for reconciliation processes, a baseless assertion.
We call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Bello Matawalle from his position as Minister of State for Defence. His lack of integrity and qualifications for this sensitive role is evident in his past actions, which have not only undermined the current fight against banditry but also jeopardized the safety of our citizens.
It is imperative that the federal government investigate Matawalle’s actions, particularly his relationships with bandit leaders, which have been a clear impediment to effective governance.
The statement also
urged the APC to focus on genuine issues affecting Zamfara rather than resorting to baseless accusations and distractions insisting that Governor Dauda Lawal remains resolute in his commitment to transforming the state and will not be deterred by the opposition’s unfounded claims.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
