From Maiharaji Altine
The Zamfara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the call by the factional APC in the state to declare a state of emergency in the state as baseless and disrespectful to the people of the state.
Addressing journalists in Gusau on Sunday, the spokesperson of the party, Halliru Andi said, the opposition APC members were scared by the developmental strides made under Governor Dauda Lawal’s leadership.
Andi stressed that, the call for a state of emergency by the APC was unfounded and deeply disrespectful to the resilient people of Zamfara State.
Andi maintained that, the PDP-led administration in the state focused on rectifying the maladministration that characterized 25 years of APC governance.
He added that, “It is evident that the APC fears the scorecard of Governor Lawal and that is why they are calling for the state of emergency”.
He said, “Their attempts to undermine Governor Lawal’s efforts reflect a desperate need to salvage their political careers as the 2027 elections approach”.
“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”.
“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 PDP spokesperson said the unfounded claims that Governor Dauda Lawal was sabotaging the fight against banditry in Zamfara State was a political move to undermine our ongoing efforts to address insecurity in the state.
According to him, Governor Lawal was the first in the 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 have 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’.
Andi added that 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.
He said, “Just a few weeks ago, Governor Lawal distributed vehicles to enhance the operational capabilities of our security agencies, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to this critical issue”.
”The APC’s allegations are nothing more than desperate propaganda”.
He said that, at no point did former Governor Matawalle expressed a willingness to collaborate with Governor Lawal in addressing insecurity.
“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”.
The PDP therefore called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Bello Matawalle from his position as Minister of State for Defense.
“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”. Concluded PDP spokesperson.
