From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
As the legal tussle between Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state and his predecessor Bello Mattawalle has come to an end, an APC strong notcher, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has congratulated Governor Dauda Lawal on his victory at the supreme Court.
Dr Shinkafi however urged Governor Lawal to concentrate on good governance and ensure an end to banditry activities in the state.
Shinkafi who served as a former Deputy Chairman of Bello Mohammed Matawalle Governorship Campaign Committee 2023, said, since the legal tussle was over, there was the need for Governor Lawal to pay more attention to the provision of dividend of democracy to the people of the state and also bring an end to banditry.
In a statement, Dr. Shinkafi said, the final Judgement of the Apex court has now provided the opportunity for Governor Lawal and all politicians irrespective of party affiliation to work in restoring security of lives and property in the state.
He maintained that the political stalemate in the state has led to banditry, kidnapping of innocent people for ransom, cattle rustling, imposition of taxes and levies to villagers before cultivating and harvesting of their farm lands by the armed bandits, killings and displacement of citizens across the 14 Local Government Areas of the State.
He said, “The ten months legal battles from Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal and finally terminating with the decision of the Supreme Court on 12th January 2023, is part of the democratic process that should be cherished and supported irrespective of the outcome”.
“It has afforded all players the opportunity to seek legal redress through the courts as prescribed under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the electoral laws enacted by the National Assembly”.
“The verdict of the Supreme Court is a terminal bus stop to litigations on Zamfara State Governorship Election dispute conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on 18th March 2023”.
“This is the right time for progressive governance which Dauda Lawal should utilise to deliver to the people key elements of good governance which comprises of consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive.
He should rule the state with the fear of God and provide dividends of democracy to assuage the sufferings of the people”.
Shinkafi stressed that the Judiciary has done it’s duty according to the constitution and democratic practice which was binding on all parties that submitted themselves to it.
He said, “I urged Governor Dauda Lawal to embrace all sections of the state in delivering good governance and dividends of democracy to the people”.
He commended the APC candidate, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Hon. Minister of State for Defence for his doggedness, maturity and resilience in the political journey that saw him going all the way from Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal to the apex court.
He also commended the performance of the APC candidate and the exemplary conduct of the members of the party who fought doggedly within the confines of democratic tenets through the legal battles demonstrated their capacity to continue to put the interest of the people above personal interest.
He urged all members of the APC family not to be demoralised but remain focused and united in building the party ahead of be the 2027 general election for continued service to the people of Zamfara State.
He also commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support to the APC family in Zamfara State and the nation at large as well as commitment to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
