By Jibril Abdullahi
The Northern Elders Professional Development group has slammed Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for his alleged blame game on insecurity, urging him to collaborate with the Federal Government to secure northern Nigeria.
The group specifically asked Governor Lawal to make sincere collaborative efforts with stakeholders, especially the military, to tackle the monumental insecurity plaguing the state.
The group’s Secretary-General, Dr. Adamu Lawal Giwa, condemned what he called “Zamfara governor’s desperate attempt” to tarnish the image of Minister 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,” Dr. Giwa stated.
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.
Matawalle’s approach to addressing banditry through dialogue is not unique, as other governors in Niger, Sokoto, and Katsina states have adopted similar strategies.
The Zamfara government effortlessly spent money on propaganda and media trials against Matawalle rather than fighting insecurity and supporting the armed forces’ Fansa Yamma operations.
Dr. Giwa emphasized that there must be an end to playing politics on the issue of insecurity.
“A state ravaged by insecurity, poverty, poor governance, and employment challenges cannot afford the kind of propaganda and mischief created to malign anybody because of political differences,” he said.
Rather than making baseless accusations, Governor Lawal should focus on collaborative efforts to tackle the insecurity plaguing Zamfara State.
The group advised working together to build a nation worthy of the highest aspirations through patriotism and respect.
South South Times . 