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Shame on Gov Dauda, PDP for Politicizing Zamfara Insecurity —Group
The Zamfara Concerned Citizens group has condemned the act of Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and the state’s Peoples Democratic Party PDP for politicizing the insecurity in the state.
According to the group, “The government can no longer hide its shame for its lack of contribution.”
The group contrasted this with the Sokoto State government, which has provided substantial support to the military in terms of vehicles, motorcycles, and other resources to address the security crisis.
Muhammad Salisu Anka, the group’s convener, responded to a recent statement from the PDP, accusing the Zamfara government of benefiting from illegal mining, which they claim is the reason for its reluctance to fully cooperate with security agencies.
“The reason they don’t want maximum cooperation with security agencies is that they don’t want peace to return to Zamfara,” Anka said.
The group also criticized the PDP for attacking former Governor Bello Matawalle over his trips to Sokoto State. They noted that Sokoto’s government has done far more to support the military than Zamfara’s administration.
Matawalle’s leadership has led to the successful targeting and elimination of high-profile bandits like Baleri Fakai, Halilu Sububu, and Kachallah Sani Black. Over 5,000 of their associates have also been neutralized, demonstrating the effectiveness of his administration’s strategy to combat banditry.
Despite these successes, the PDP has accused Matawalle of engaging in “eye service,” while many citizens view his actions as essential for achieving lasting peace in the region.
Critics, including Gov Dauda Lawal, have downplayed Matawalle’s achievements, often politicizing security issues. Gov Dauda’s criticisms appear to be an attempt to distract from the progress being made, especially after the killing of Halilu Sububu, a key figure in regional banditry.
The group alleged that Gov Dauda of Zamfara state has ties to illegal mining operations in the region, and that Sububu’s death may have unsettled him. The group claimed, “It is widely believed that Sububu had ties to Dauda, overseeing illegal operations in the region. His death has prompted Gov Dauda to undermine Matawalle’s credibility.”
The group called on the public to remain vigilant and not be swayed by political figures who prioritize personal gain over the security and well-being of Zamfara’s citizens.
The group also affirmed that no amount of slander from Gov Dauda or the PDP can distract Matawalle, now serving as Minister of State for Defence, from his commitment to fighting insecurity.
They praised Matawalle for his decisive actions, which have contributed to restoring peace and security in the Northwest, and urged the PDP to set aside political ambitions and fairly evaluate Matawalle’s contributions to peace in Zamfara.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.
The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It held that issue of leadership was internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.
It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP got being unmeritorious.
Details shortly…
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position, According to Daily Trust.
The newspaper quoted sources as saying that the former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) resigned two weeks ago.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Baba-Ahmed as special adviser on political matters to Shettima in September 2023.
Baba-Ahmed is the elder sibling of Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.
Baba-Ahmed served as chief of staff to Bukola Saraki, former senate president, from 2017-2019.
CONFRONTATION WITH MATAWALLE OVER NEF
In April 2024, Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, described the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group stated that the north made a mistake voting Tinubu in 2023.
In his reaction to Matawalle’s remarks, Baba-Ahmed said it would have served the Tinubu administration better if Matawalle had listed his achievements as minister — and the achievements of the other northern appointees — instead of attacking NEF.
“Scathing criticism of NEF by a junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised. He could have done a better job for this admin if he identified contributions of especially northern ministers and other appointees like me to improving security and reducing poverty in the North,” Baba-Ahmed said.
In a riposte, the minister said any appointee must defend and promote the administration they work for.
“Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) is well-known,” Matawalle said.
“The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser and it is incumbent on him to work for the success of the government he is part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons.
“It is pertinent to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owes the government a copious duty to promote, elucidate and advance the good works and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.”
He added that northern appointees must defend the government or take their exit.
Matawalle is a native of Zamfara while Baba-Ahmed hails from Kaduna.