Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, CON, former Minister of State for Works,
former Minister for National Planning and former Minister of State for Finance has called for peace between Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal and the former governor, presently Minister of State for Defense, Hon. Muhammed Bello Matawalle.
Bashir stressed on the need for both Lawal and Matawalle to bury their differences and come together for the benefit of Zamfara citizens. He stated that the state has been having persistent insecurity, kidnappings and banditry.
He said; “When the Minister of State for Defense was the governor between 2019-2023 he put many measures in place to stem insecurity. All the reconciliation measures he put in place was done absolutely with good mind and intentions. Various reconciliations with bandits at that time yielded good results with exchange of of kidnapped victims, the bandits surrendering large cache of arms and relatively long period of peace was recorded sadly before it collapses.”
“When he was governor, various commendable steps like closing of some markets, restricted movement at night, dismantling of the yan Sakai, disconnecting of communication lines are partly responsible for the success at that time. The reconciliation talks with the bandits was done by the former governor after an extensive consultations with stakeholders, Emirs, the Ulamas and the various security agencies in the state.”
“I am urging on Governor Dauda to empower more the Askarawa Guards to continue the good collaborative work they are doing with the federal government and the security agencies. I believe working together to solve the security issue in Zamfara will see more of the good development strides presently embarked upon Zamfara by Governor Dauda will be accelerated.”
“The good progress in areas of education, infrastructures, health and agriculture embarked upon by Governor Lawal is very commendable and I personally wish him well. It is important at this point in time for both parties to exercise restrain on personal attacks.”
“I urge Governor Lawal to know he is the leader of the state and need to show more tolerance in the process of governance. Attacks on former Governor Matawalle will not help in resolving matters amicably. So I want to caution and advise the governor to concentrate on delivering more dividends of democracy to the good people of Zamfara.”
“Finally, I urge Governor Lawal to convene a meeting of all critical stakeholders in Zamfara to offer advice to the government on all aspects, especially the insecurity issue in the state. Hopefully, from that meeting, a committee of elders will be established and various committees to be formed for mutual benefits of our people.”
“I want to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his concern as a leader and father over the insecurity in Zamfara. The appointment of one of us from Zamfara, Hon. Bello Matawalle as a Minister of State for Defense is a testament to the fact that Zamfara insecurity is a priority for Mr president.”
“The minister is meeting up with the expectation attached to his office. I personally wish him well for the good job he’s doing and may almighty Allah guide us right. With Mr. President’s most recent directive to the military to intensify more efforts in fighting the bandits, we are seeing more improved security all over the state. Zamfara people are very grateful Mr. President.”
