By El-ameen Ibrahim
Former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle’s assistant Anas Kaura has urged current Governor Dauda Lawal and his cabinet to swear an oath based on the Qur’an as part of their pledge to fight insecurity in the state.
He implores the governor to set aside his grievances and cooperate with Bello Matawalle, the minister of defense, for the benefit of the state.
Dauda Lawal, the current governor, has come under fire from Comrade Kaura for failing to fulfill his duties and harming the state’s image.
He further claimed that Lawal often undermines Matawalle’s reputation on public platforms, harming the state’s standing both at home and abroad.
Zamfara State, located in northwest Nigeria, has become one of the regions hardest hit by insecurity. Once a thriving agricultural hub, the state has sadly become synonymous with banditry and violence.
The discovery of gold deposits in Zamfara is widely seen as a turning point, fueling unrest as criminal groups sought to exploit the resources. This marked the beginning of banditry in Nigeria, with Zamfara at the heart of the conflict. Shockingly, some traditional rulers in the state were accused of colluding with bandits, deepening the crisis and undermining efforts to restore peace.
One of the darkest moments in Zamfara’s recent history occurred in February 2021, when terrorists abducted around 300 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe.
“When Governor Lawal appears on television or in the media, it seems his primary focus is to criticize and discredit Matawalle,” Kaura said.
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He reminded Lawal that during Matawalle’s administration, both he and his cabinet members swore on the Quran that they were not involved in the state’s insecurity.
Kaura challenged Lawal and his cabinet members to do the same, claiming they would refuse because they know the truth.
Regarding dialogue with bandits, Kaura emphasized the need for wisdom and cautioned against politicizing all issues at the expense of the people.
He highlighted the successes achieved in the fight against banditry in Northern states under the leadership of Matawalle and the Tinubu administration.
“Matawalle deserves commendation from you, not attempts to tarnish his image,” Kaura said. “He is solely focused on ensuring the safety of Zamfara people and Nigeria as a whole.”
Kaura urged Lawal to work with Matawalle for the development of Zamfara rather than attacking him in the media. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating Matawalle’s contributions to tackling insecurity.
“Governor Lawal should shift his focus from political attacks to governance,” Kaura added. “He should prioritize infrastructure development and protecting lives and property in the state.”
Comrade Anas Kaura suggested that Lawal’s continued criticism of Matawalle could be motivated by fear of political rivalry in the 2027 elections.
“Lawal is worried about Matawalle’s popularity and is using every opportunity to undermine him,” Kaura said. “But the people of Zamfara are watching closely.”
