The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State due to the ongoing insecurity. The party’s statement comes as the military intensifies its crackdown on bandits and terrorists in the state, with the operation being coordinated by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, under the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The military offensive, which aims to root out banditry in northwestern Nigeria, is reportedly making significant progress. Bandit leaders, who had previously controlled the region with impunity, are now facing unprecedented setbacks. The APC commended these efforts, urging that they be sustained to completely rid the area of criminal activities.
However, the APC expressed concern over what it describes as an attempt by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to sabotage the military’s efforts. According to a statement by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara, Yusuf Idris Gusau, Governor Lawal has not supported the military operations logistically and has, instead, allegedly been working to undermine them. The APC claims that the governor’s opposition stems from concerns that the success of the operation will undercut his political plans for the 2027 elections, in which insecurity played a significant role during the 2023 elections.
The statement further accused Governor Lawal of launching media campaigns to distract from the ongoing efforts led by the Defence Ministry. The APC alleged that the governor has attempted to take credit for the operation, despite having no involvement, while also using propaganda to portray himself as a key player in the fight against banditry.
Since assuming office in May, Governor Lawal has allegedly made repeated attacks on his predecessor, Dr. Matawalle, accusing him of embezzlement and other misdeeds. Despite these accusations, the APC insists that Matawalle has continuously offered to collaborate with the governor to combat banditry, both as the Minister of State for Defence and as a citizen of Zamfara, only to be rebuffed.
President Tinubu, in response to the ongoing crisis, tasked Dr. Matawalle with overseeing the military operations in Zamfara, which have been widely praised for their effectiveness. The APC highlighted the success of these operations, including the elimination of notorious bandit leader Haliru Sububu, as a testament to Matawalle’s leadership.
The APC further alleged that Governor Lawal has a history of questionable actions, including claims that he approved over N1.3 billion to support terrorism. Though the governor has denied these allegations, the APC pointed to the redeployment of key directors within the state Ministry of Finance, which they argue suggests an attempt to cover up the issue. Additionally, the APC criticized the governor for allegedly mismanaging federal funds meant for palliative distribution during the ongoing economic crisis, contrasting this with the efforts of other governors who have successfully distributed aid to their citizens.
The party reiterated its call for a state of emergency, arguing that such a move would allow the military to continue its operations without political interference from the state government. They also called for an investigation into Governor Lawal’s alleged ties to bandits, citing claims made by a notorious bandit leader, Turji, that some bandits were being sheltered in the Zamfara State Government House.
The APC emphasized that Dr. Matawalle’s contributions to the fight against banditry during his tenure as governor far exceeded those of Governor Lawal. They pointed to Matawalle’s provision of 200 Hilux vehicles to security agencies in the state in July 2020 as an example of his commitment to the cause. The APC also praised the former governor’s reconciliation and disarmament programs, which they argue were successful due to the collaborative efforts of security agencies, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
In contrast, the APC criticized Governor Lawal’s approach to addressing insecurity in the state, arguing that his actions have only served to politicize the crisis.
