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Governor Lawal Faces Criticism Over Alleged Talks with Bandits
The Coalition of Zamfara Civil Society Organization Forums has issued a statement condemning Governor Dauda Lawal for allegedly engaging in discussions with armed groups.
speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Governor Lawal said dialogue with bandits was not entirely off the government’s table.
He, however, emphasised that any talks must be anchored on truth and honesty.
He said, “A number of people have been harmed, others have lost their parents and wives. Therefore, it is important to take into account their plight and mull over how to come to their aid, considering the losses they recorded, rather than always solely focusing on the bandits.”
The group’s spokesperson, Usman Khalid, highlighted what he described as hypocrisy in Lawal’s approach to security.
Khalid pointed out that Lawal had strongly opposed former Governor Bello Matawalle’s peace dialogue with bandits but now appears to be adopting a similar strategy.
During his 2022 campaign, Lawal fiercely criticized Matawalle’s negotiations, branding him the “Minister of State Defense for Bandits”.
He insisted that such dialogues had failed to curb insecurity and instead promised a tougher, more aggressive response to criminal groups.
However, as the next elections approach, reports suggest that Lawal is now engaging in talks with the same groups he once vowed to confront. This perceived shift in policy has sparked accusations of political opportunism and hypocrisy.
Last year, the Minister of Defence for State ,Dr Bello matawalle directed the Nigerian Army to eliminate bandit groups operating in Zamfara.
“Since the directive, peace has been restored, and thousands of bandits have been killed. Therefore, Dr. Matawalle deserves credit from the current governor, Dauda Lawal, because we are witnessing remarkable peace and going about our normal activities.”
The coalition accused Lawal of taking credit for this success despite not contributing financially or logistically to military operations.
“He forgets that he once claimed that the army and police belong to the federal government. Why is he now claiming success instead of thanking the President, the Minister of Defence, and the Nigerian Army?” the statement read.
The coalition further accused Lawal of attempting to deceive the people of Zamfara.
“Dauda Lawal thought he could manipulate the people of Zamfara with his campaign rhetoric. But now, he is doing the same thing he once attacked. Does he think Zamfara people are fools?”
Former Governor Matawalle, now serving as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, defended his past negotiations, arguing that they were part of a broader security strategy.
His approach involved consultations with traditional leaders and Islamic scholars and was supported by the Federal Government under then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Similar peace efforts were also undertaken in Katsina and Borno States.
Khalid asserted that these efforts helped stabilize Zamfara, contrasting them with what he described as Governor Lawal’s failure to fulfill his campaign promises.
Governor Lawal’s apparent policy reversal has led to growing frustration among Zamfara residents. A local youth leader voiced the concerns of many:
“We cannot be manipulated again. Lawal criticized Matawalle for negotiating with bandits, but now he is doing the same. His failed campaign promises are now exposed.”
In response,Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits, emphasising that his government remained committed to an all-out offensive against criminal elements in the state.
A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, clarified that Lawal’s recent interview with the BBC Hausa service was deliberately misrepresented by certain media platforms to mislead the public.
According to Idris, the governor’s stance has remained unwavering because no responsible government negotiates with killers from a position of weakness.
He said, “The banditry issue has been a significant concern for people across Zamfara State, North-West, and the entire country for decades.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”
On Wednesday, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, dismissed the Action Alliance’s (AA) petition aimed at overturning the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and comprising a three-member panel, determined that the petition, filed by AA and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was without merit.
The tribunal concluded that the issues raised in the petition were pre-election matters, falling outside its jurisdiction to adjudicate.
The petitioners claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had excluded their legitimate candidate from the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. They argued that, in contradiction to several court rulings, INEC recognized a candidate who had not been validly nominated by the party.
Furthermore, the petitioners contended that INEC’s failure to publish the name of their party’s rightful candidate constituted a significant violation of Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act.
In addition to these claims, they asserted that Governor Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not receive the majority of legitimate votes and that the election was tainted by corrupt practices.
As a result, they sought the annulment of the election; however, the tribunal panel denied their request on Wednesday.
The panel upheld all preliminary objections raised against the petition. The respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, argued that the National Chairman of the AA lacked the standing to file the action, as he did not participate in the gubernatorial election.
They also asserted that the petition was barred by statute, as it involved pre-election issues that exceeded the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
It is noteworthy that AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, withdrew from the race in favor of Governor Okpebholo just days before the election.