By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
A group, North West Northern
Elders Professional Development on Wednesday, advised the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal to collaborate with the Federal Government to secure Northern Nigeria, especially North-West ravaged with banditry.
The group specifically asked Mr. Governor to make sincere collaborative efforts with stakeholders especially the military, to tackle monumental insecurity plaguing the state rather than his alleged continual blame games.
The group in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Adamu Lawal Giwa, condemned what he called “Zamfara Governor’s desperate attempt” to tarnish the image of the Mnister of State Defense Bello Matawalle.
“The recent allegations made by Governor Dauda Lawal against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, are unsubstantiated and divisive.
“This is because Matawalle has consistently denied any involvement with bandits in Zamfara State, emphasizing his efforts to engage in dialogue to stop killings.
“Lawal’s accusations, as conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Idris, rely on unverified claims and unnamed sources.
“Idris stated that Matawalle, as governor, gave Hilux vehicles, money, and foodstuffs to bandits, yet failed to provide concrete evidence”.
According to him, it should be noted that Matawalle’s approach to addressing banditry through dialogue is not unique, as other governors in Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina states have adopted similar strategies.
“Zamfara Govt effortlessly spent money on propaganda and media trials against the minister of defense rather than fighting insecurity and supporting the armed force Fansa Yamma operations.
“To us, there must be an end to playing politics on the issue of insecurity; especially the use of vulgar language by some unpatriotic political elites, clerics, and mischief makers to create unwarranted fear and sabotage the efforts of the President Tinubu’s fight against banditry in the North.
“A state ravaged by insecurity, poverty, poor governance, and employment challenges can’t afford the kind of propaganda and mischief created to malign anybody because of political differences.
“Rather than making baseless accusations, Governor Lawal should focus on collaborative efforts to tackle the insecurity plaguing Zamfara State.
“We should work together to build a nation that is worthy of our highest aspirations through patriotism and respect”, he advised.
