By Musa Moses
The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has issued a stern call for Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to resign immediately. This demand comes amidst alarming evidence linking Governor Lawal to financing terror groups operating in the region.
According to AYCF President General Yerima Shettima, Governor Lawal’s recent comments demanding the resignation of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, are misguided. Instead, it is Governor Lawal who should step down due to his alleged involvement with criminal enterprises.
A recently circulated document, RE-NORTH-WESTERN GOVERNORS/UN-ORGANIZED SECURITY SUMMIT IN KATSINA, exposes Governor Lawal’s intricate ties to notorious bandit leaders. The document reveals a request for One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Naira for a dubious state government reconciliation programme.
This initiative raises serious ethical and legal concerns, particularly considering the funds were earmarked for distribution to high-profile bandit leaders, including Bello Turji, Dogo Gide, Ado Aliero, Halilu Sububu, and Gwaska Dan Karami. Additionally, payoffs were planned for certain media houses and influencers.
The AYCF views Governor Lawal’s actions as a desperate attempt to divert attention from his own alleged complicity with terror groups. His unease has escalated since the arrest of his former aide, Bashir Hadejiya, on serious charges of gun running and international criminal conspiracy.
Furthermore, the elimination of bandit leader Halilu Sububu and the diminishing power of criminal factions, attributed to Minister Matawalle’s efforts, have weakened Governor Lawal’s alleged affiliates.
Governor Lawal’s calls for Matawalle’s resignation reflect a grave misunderstanding of the region’s dire circumstances. The AYCF stresses that Minister Matawalle’s ongoing efforts have yielded tangible results in the battle against banditry.
The forum urges Governor Lawal to step down, citing his tenure’s dangerous overlap of governance and criminality. Should he fail to resign voluntarily, the AYCF advocates for a total state of emergency in Zamfara State.
This emergency declaration would entail Governor Lawal’s removal and the appointment of a military sole administrator. The AYCF believes this measure is essential to restore order and address the deteriorating security situation.
In conclusion, the people of Zamfara and the broader region deserve governance prioritizing their safety and well-being. As the AYCF emphasized, “The time for decisive action is now.”
Middle-Belt Times 