Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency In Zamfara As Banditry Threatens Public Safety

Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency In Zamfara As Banditry Threatens Public Safety

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state due to worsening insecurity. According to the APC, Governor Dauda Lawal is allegedly undermining security efforts through a media campaign and propaganda targeted at the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle.

In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mallam Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC accused Governor Lawal of playing politics with the lives of Zamfara residents. The party emphasized that the military’s ongoing offensive against terrorists in the state, under the directive of President Tinubu and supervised by Minister Matawalle, is yielding significant results. The APC noted that many notorious bandit leaders, who once terrorized the region, are being neutralized in the ongoing military operations.

However, the APC expressed concerns that Governor Lawal’s actions are aimed at disrupting the federal government’s efforts, accusing him of using insecurity as a political tool for his 2027 campaign, just as he allegedly did in the 2023 elections. The statement further alleged that Governor Lawal has not provided any logistical support to the military and has been openly antagonistic, which led to a warning from military officials to stay out of their operations.

The party also accused the governor of spreading false information and taking undue credit for the military’s successes while simultaneously undermining Matawalle’s role. The APC warned that Governor Lawal’s actions are jeopardizing the security of the state and called for a state of emergency to ensure that military operations can continue unimpeded.

The statement highlighted past conflicts between Governor Lawal and Minister Matawalle, including accusations against the former governor regarding mismanagement of state funds. The APC also raised concerns about allegations that the governor had sponsored terrorism and was harboring bandits in the Zamfara Government House, claims the party said remain unchallenged by the governor.

In conclusion, the APC urged the federal government to intervene decisively to restore peace and prevent Governor Lawal from further politicizing security issues in the state.