From Tunde Omolehin, in Sokoto
A group, Zamfara Progressive Elders, has charged the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, to prioritize the welbeing of the citizens as well as show deepest concern to victims of banditry attacks.
Chairman of the group, Alhaji Mustafa Aliyu Kaura, in a statement made available to Journalists on Monday, also faulted the governor for organizing a political rally instead of grieving for victims of the recent banditry attacks in the state.
The group said the Governor’s indifference by organizing a political rally instead of using his return to the state for grieving about the loss of lives recorded in the recent bandits’ attacks is undeserved.
It said the Governor should have used such a moment of agony to extend a message of sympathy and grief to the families of the victims over loss of lives and properties while he was away in Saudi Arabia.
The group described such action as a nonchalant attitude when vulnerable people are being killed daily in the state.
The group added that the amount spent on the rally could have been channeled for impact assistance on their lives and cater to other needs.
“There is no reason whatsoever for the spending of such huge public funds for the rally while millions are suffering from hunger and poverty across 14 local governments of the state.
“He should have taken those security guards to go and fight those bandits that are unleashing terror against his people in the rural areas.
“Hundreds of innocent people lost their lives as a result of escalated banditry attacks in 11 local governments of Zamfara state within two months.” It further stated.
“Over 245,000 people are living in IDP camps across six local governments of Zamfara state, namely Gusau, Gummi, Tsafe, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, and Kaura Namoda.
“Yet Governor Dauda could not find a peace in his mind to send sympathetic words of assurance about their returning homes, but to show a motorcade of security operatives and those feasting on Zamfara resources.
“There was nothing positive or achievement about organizing or sponsoring a rally when the majority of people were suffering due to the challenge of insecurity, hunger, poverty, and shortage of drinking water in their communities.
The group however urged the Governor to face the issue of governance and leave such a jamboree to alleviate the suffering of the people in the state.
“Nothing is like giving security and attention to people; anything away from this will not augur well for the teeming populace that is sleeping hungry and in dire need of protection and safety.” The statement reads in part.
