The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has brought to light a concerning issue regarding the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, saying it has observed that Lawal has been consistently using the name of his predecessor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who currently serves as the Minister of State Defense, to deflect blame and destabilize the state.
The Group in a statement by its President Yerima Shettima argued that Governor Lawal’s actions are not only detrimental to the progress of Zamfara State but also a disservice to its citizens.
“Governor Lawal’s persistent reliance on Matawalle‘s name as a shield for his failures in providing security for the people of Zamfara is a clear indication of his inability to take responsibility for his own actions.
“We warn Dauda Lawal to note that we are in possession of solid evidence of the funds he spent on sponsoring the campaign of calumny against President Bola Tinubu regarding the twarted Chicago certificate saga and we shall not hesitate to expose him if he persists in his drive to undermine the credibility of the federal government by targeting the widely acclaimed efforts of the Ministry of Defense.
“We caution President Tinubu to watch his back against the antics of the Judas in Zamfara government house who is involved in every sinister plot against the success of his administration,” Shettima said.
He said, instead of addressing the pressing security concerns in the state, Lawal has resorted to using his predecessor’s name to deflect blame and avoid accountability. This strategy not only undermines the trust of the citizens but also hampers any potential progress in resolving the security crisis,” the Group said.
According to the Group, the primary responsibility of any governor is to ensure the safety and security of their constituents.
“However, Lawal’s tenure has been marred by a continuous rise in insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. Rather than implementing effective strategies to combat these issues, Lawal has chosen to exploit Matawalle’s name, who is currently serving in a different capacity, to divert attention from his own shortcomings.
“By using Matawalle’s name, Governor Lawal is not only misleading the public but also undermining the efforts of the Minister of State Defense in his current role. Matawalle’s position as a minister demands his full attention and dedication to national security matters. Exploiting his name for personal gain not only distracts from his responsibilities but also attempts to undermine the trust placed in him by the federal government,” Yerima said.
Furthermore, the Group said, Governor Lawal’s actions have far-reaching consequences for the people of Zamfara. By failing to address the security challenges head-on, Lawal perpetuates a cycle of violence and instability in the state. The citizens of Zamfara deserve a leader who is willing to take responsibility for their safety and work towards finding lasting solutions to the security crisis. Lawal’s reliance on Matawalle’s name only serves to exacerbate the situation and hinder any potential progress.
“We call on President Tinubu to note that the actions of Lawal are part of a wider agenda to criple the growing popularity of his administration which is promoted and protected by his Defense Minister, Matawalle,” they said.
