By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A group, Arewa Elders Forum For Development and Peace has strongly appealed to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State elders to wade into cold war between Governor Dauda Lawal and his immediate predecessor and Minister of State Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle in the interest of the good people of the State.
These elders believe that the NGF and respected elders far and near will put a stop to unnecessary smear campaigns against each other so there can be expected good governance, peace and improved general security in the state and Northwest as a region.
Deputy National Secretary of the forum, Dr Aliyu Usman Rumfa who made the plea shortly after the Forum”s emergency meeting in Kaduna yesterday, added that there is no reason for the Northern elders and other voices of reasoning from the region to fold their arms and watch things degenerating right under their nose while millions of the innocent people of Zamfara suffer banditry attacks, kidnapping and other social vices include poverty and hunger daily.
“It is alarming with the continued reports of attacks and kidnappings going on in many villages and urban areas of Zamfara State as a result of poor attention given by the Zamfara State Governor who is more interested in sponsoring smear campaigns against his immediate predecessor. due to their misunderstanding or political indifferences.
“Escalations of insecurity challenges in the state are too alarming that inadvertently affecting other states bordering Zamfara, especially Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi states; whereas the two leaders are at a loggerhead with one another despite the opportunity for having a Minister of defense from the state.
“People are being killed, innocent women raped and children abducted in almost all the local governments of the state, yet Governor Dauda cannot stand for them. instead, he was allegedly accused of sponsoring campaigns against his fellow brother.
“Let the state secure the lives and property of residents of Zamfara State before embarking on this political fight.
“We also call on the Minister of State Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle to use his office to improve the security operation in the state to fight against insecurity.
“It is disheartening to hear a whole governor of the state going into the media speaking negatively and charging his predecessor on alleged crimes that are not cleared because of political relevance that cannot be guaranteed.
“Even though they are from different political parties, they ought to unite and cooperate to build a formidable force that can successfully fight insecurity and bring political cohesion and progress to the state.
“We challenge other elders in the North especially those in the Northwest to stand up and bring an end to this unnecessary fight where outsiders are being sponsored or involved in rallies, and protests against an individual to achieve public sympathy.
“We call on our esteemed and highly respected Sultan of Sokoto, and other traditional and religious leaders from the region to intervene and bring an end to this needless campaign of calumny which is destroying our sense of responsibility and political unity,” Dr Rumfa said.
