The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing growing concerns over insecurity and alleging political interference by Governor Dauda Lawal.
In a press statement issued by the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party lauded the ongoing military operations against banditry in Zamfara, led by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle. The APC praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing this onslaught, which they claim has significantly weakened bandits and terrorists in the region.
However, the party accused Governor Lawal of attempting to sabotage these efforts, claiming he has not supported the military operations and is using insecurity for political gains ahead of the 2027 elections. “Governor Dauda Lawal has been too confrontational, failing to support the military in logistics and even trying to distract the federal government’s fight against banditry,” the statement read.
The APC further accused the governor of using media campaigns to claim credit for the military operations, despite playing no role in their coordination. They assert that Lawal’s actions are politically motivated and aimed at undermining Matawalle, who has been pivotal in leading the anti-banditry campaign.
The statement also touched on earlier accusations against Lawal, including allegations of misuse of funds and supposed links to bandits. The APC noted a previous claim by a notorious bandit leader, Turji, who allegedly suggested that some bandits were being harbored in the Zamfara Government House, a claim the state government has not denied.
In light of these accusations, the APC has urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara to ensure that ongoing military operations can proceed without political interference. “This need is highly desirable so that the operation can go unhindered, and the security operatives can go into the state without the governor politicizing the manhunt,” the party said.
The statement concluded by emphasizing that the fight against banditry must remain a top priority, and political interests should not jeopardize the safety and security of the people of Zamfara.
Governor Dauda Lawal has yet to respond to these allegations.
