Zamfara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected calls for declaration of a state of emergency in the state by a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The state publicity secretary of the PDP, Haliru Audi, in a statement on Sunday, described the call as baseless and disrespectful to the citizens.
According to Mr Audi, the call by Senator AbdulAziz Yari faction of the party is a clear indication that the opposition is intimidated by the achievements and developmental strides of Governor Dauda Lawal.
“The PDP administration is focused on rectifying the maladministration that characterised 25 years of APC governance, and it is evident that the APC fears the scorecard of Governor Lawal.
“Their attempts to undermine his 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 characterised by a disturbing pattern of accommodation, including providing Hilux vehicles and substantial financial rewards to bandits, while allowing them unrestricted access to government houses.
“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 statement said.
Mr Audi also dismissed claims by the opposition party that Mr Lawal was sabotaging the fight against banditry in the state.
“Governor Lawal is the first in our state’s history to prioritise security with genuine commitment, contrasting sharply with the previous APC administrations,” he added.
He said, unlike the APC which has politicised the serious issue of insecurity, the PDP’s administration is committed to the peace and stability of Zamfara State.
Mr Audi noted that the successes recorded against banditry are a direct result of Mr 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.
“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. At no point did former Governor Matawalle express a willingness to collaborate with Governor Lawal in addressing insecurity,” the spokesperson explained.
The statement noted Mr Mattawalle showed lack of competence and empathy for the people of the state, accusing the minister of secretly negotiating with bandits, without the consent of the state government.
The PDP, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to sack Mr Mattawalle as defence minister for “his lack of integrity and qualifications for this sensitive role”.
“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 jeopardised 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 added.
