Former Information Minister Faults Gov Matawalle’s Peace Process, Hails Yari For Subsedising Fertilizer

From Maiharaji Altine Gusau

The Former Information Minister during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan,  Alhaji Ikra Aliyu Bilbis has faulted the peace process of Governor Bello Matawalle, saying, it was responsible for the escalation of banditry in Zamfara state.

Ikra who spoke in Gusau during the distribution of 30,000 bags of assorted fertilizer purchased by former Governor Abdul Aziz Yari and sold to APC supporters at subsedised rate of N4,750 per bag against the market price of N15.000 said, the peace process was haphazardly done for political reasons.

Ikra stressed that, “You can’t just wake up and tell people that, you are dialoging with criminals who have no fear of God in their minds”.

He maintained that, “You only dialogue with someone who has the fear of God and is ready to reconcile”. 

“But in a situation where most of these  bandits are stack illiterates, dialogue will never be an alternative to restoring peace in the state”.

You don’t dialogue with people who are senseless and heartless, you only fight them until they repent and surrender their weapons”. Said Ikra.

The former minister observed that, the amnesty arrangement of Governor Matawalle had only worsened the security problem in the state, adding that, it was responsible for the increase in banditry activities.

“The amnesty arrangement of Governor Matawalle has only succeeded in giving more powers to the bandits than an ordinary farmer because they (bandits) are treated as first class citizens”.

Ikra called on the people of the state to embark on intensive prayers for divine intervention, lamenting that, the security situation in the state has deteriorated as a result of the amnesty arrangement of Governor Bello Matawalle.

He called on APC supporters to exercise patience, assuring that, the party would reclaim the state come 2023

The former minister however commended former Governor Abdul Aziz Yari for his quick intervention  by subsedising the fertilizer to APC supporters in order to enable carry out their farming activities with ease.

Ikra also called on APC stalwarts in the state to emulate former Governor Yari by providing a socour to supporters of the party who have nobody to help them at the state level.

The distribution exercise of the 50 trucks of the assorted fertilizer purchased by former Governor Yari was chaired by the APC national chairman, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni who was represented by the Zonal Vice chairman of the party, Senator Abba Ali.

Senator Abba Ali said the fertilizer would be sold to APC members as well as farmers in the state at N4,750 per bag a reduction of about 70%.

Senator Abba Ali said, a bag of fertilizer was sold at N15,000 in the market but the APC leader in the state Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari decided to sell a bag of fertilizer at N4,750.

He  commended the former Governor  for the kind gesture, adding that It was an encouragement and morale booster to party members.

He maintained that Yari’s gesture was in line with the President Muhammad Buhari’s policy of reviving agricultural sector as well as promoting food security and supply in the country.

Senator Ali said each of the 14 LGAs of the state would get 1,850 bags of the assorted fertilizer.

In his speech, the state’s APC caretaker committee chairman, Alhaji Lawal M. Liman commended former Governor Yari for all what he has been doing to the party in order to make it stronger by the day and prayed for his success in becoming the national chairman of the party.

Liman described former Governor Yari as a true leader and dwmocrat who always has his people at heart.

The chairman also used the occasion to pray for the return of peace to the state, calling on the people of the state to also continue praying for peace in both the state and the country.