Patriots for Advancement of Peace and Social Development has called on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, to shun the politics of bitterness and focus on providing the dividends of democracy to the people, as he promised.
The group also wants the governor to present his one-year scorecard before the people of the state.
Recall that elected public officers in the country marked a year in office on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, and some of them, particularly the president and governors, celebrated their first year by showcasing their achievements, the group lamented that this was not the case with Lawal.
According to the group, the work of governance would be much easier for Lawal if he focused on the real and pressing issues in the state, such as insecurity, instead of launching attacks on former leaders and playing politics of bitterness, division, and rancor.
“Governor Lawal has wasted one year blaming others for his inability to discharge his constitutional duties and provide dividends of democracy to the people of Zamfara State, as he promised them, particularly that he would end insecurity in the state within 100 days in office,” a statement signed by Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, its Executive Director, said.
“One year after, he laments that bandits have overrun the state, that he is helpless, and also blames security agencies in the state for his failure. While the blame game continues, the people of Zamfara State suffer untold hardship.
“The election is over. It is time for governance. Governor Lawal should face his administration and improve the lives of the people and allow the Minister of State for Defence to carry out his national assignment just as he effectively discharged his duties as governor.”
The group listed recent places where bandits had attacked, including Bilbis, Tsafe, Sakajiki, Dogon Kade, Faru, Wari, Gidan Goga, Kanwa, Gora Namaye, Ruwan Dawa, Yarkatsina, Karakkai, Ruwan Dorowa, Damaga, Kanoma, Gora, Sabon Birnin Danali, Ruwan Bore, Malele, Mutunji, Kasuwar Daji, Kuryar Madaro, Mada, Kuncin Kalgo, Danisa, Kwaren Ganuwa, Keta Gwaram Dangulbi, Nahuce, Dambo, Damri, Bakura, Ruwan Jema, Gamji, Gwashi, Kyaram, Zugu, Barayar Zaki, Bagega, Wuya, Sabon Birnin, Anka, Magarya, Dauran, Kanwa, Keta, Magazu, Wanzammai, Gusau, the state capital, etc.
“Governor Lawal did not visit to commiserate with the people of these areas nor send a delegation on his behalf,” it added.
The group lamented that when President Bola Tinubu sent the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru-led government delegation to Zamfara over the abduction of students of the Federal University of Gusau by bandits, “the governor was out of the country and did not instruct any officials to receive the delegation on his behalf, nor did he reciprocate the visit when he returned to date.
“The election is over. There is no need for blackmail, mischief, and deception. Lawal should grow up and act like a governor and not a governorship candidate of a political party.
“The fight against banditry, kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling is complex and demands collective action to defeat. There is a need for synergy and cooperation of all security agencies and critical stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to banditry and related crimes in the state for the past 12 years.”
