A group known as Patriot for Advancement of Peace and Social Development has asked Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, to work with Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, to fight insecurity in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Sani Shinkafi, the group’s executive director, urged the governor and minister to set aside political differences and work together to secure the state.
Matawalle served as governor of Zamfara from 2019 to 2023.
He lost his re-election bid in the last election to Lawal, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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The group said a recent interview on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, where the governor criticised Matawalle will not benefit the security of the state.
“The election is over. It is time for governance. Governor Lawal should face his administration and improve the lives of the people and allow the Minister of State for Defence to carry out his national assignment just as he effectively discharged his duties as governor,” the statement reads.
“Lawal should know that Dr Bello Matawalle is a member of the Federal Executive Council. He has been receiving support and cooperation from other state governors in the fight against insecurity in their states including the governors of Borno, Yobe, Niger, and Kaduna and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory who visited his office seeking his support to flush out terrorists in their states and FCT.
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“The fight against banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and cattle rustling is complex and demands collective action to defeat.
“There is a need for synergy and cooperation of all security agencies and critical stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to banditry and related crimes in the state for the past 12 years.”
The group asked Lawal and Matawalle to unite and “build a strong, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic society” in Zamfara.
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