By Citizenship Daily, in Gusau
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has denied the claim by the APC that there was discovery which featured Governor Dauda Lawal as he embarked upon activities meant to derail the Federal Government efforts in the fights against banditry and other criminality in the state.
The denial was disclosed in a press conference by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Malam Halliru Andi, at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zamfara State Council Gusau, saying the call to impose State of Emergency on the state by the APC is a clear indication the giant and developmental strides of Governor Dauda-led administration appeared intimidating to them.
According to Halliru Andi, the PDP administration is focused on rectifying the maladministration that characterized 25 years of APC governance, and it is evident that the APC fears the scorecard of Governor Lawal.
He said attempts to undermine Gov Lawal’s efforts reflect a desperate need to salvage their political career 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.
“Matawalle’s administration’s failure to ensure security was characterized by a disturbing pattern of accommodation, including providing Hilux vehicles and substantial financial rewards to bandits, while allowing them unrestricted access to Government House.
“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 unfounded claims that Governor Dauda Lawal is sabotaging the fight against banditry in Zamfara State is a political move to undermine our ongoing efforts to address insecurity in the state.
“Governor Lawal is the first in our state’s history to prioritize security with genuine commitment, contrasting sharply with the previous APC administrations.
“Unlike the APC which has politicized the serious issue of insecurity, the PDP’s administration is committed to the peace and stability of Zamfara state. The successes we’ve seen against banditry are a direct result of Governor 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.
“Following the failure of these negotiations, Matawalle falsely claimed that Governor Lawal approved 1.3 billion naira in one fabricated memo for reconciliation processes, a baseless assertion.
“It is imperative that the federal government investigate Matawalle’s actions.
“In conclusion, we urge the APC to focus on genuine issues affecting Zamfara rather than resorting to baseless accusations and distractions. Governor Dauda Lawal remains resolute in his commitment to transforming the state and will not be deterred by the opposition’s unfounded claims. The people of Zamfara deserve better, and this administration is dedicated to delivering on that promise”, the Publicity Secretary said.
