Residents of Zamfara State as well as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governors for holding a political meeting in the state on Saturday amid rising killings of innocent people by bandits.
They argued that the meeting smacked of “insensitivity and lack of empathy”.
Many local government areas in Zamfara had recently suffered repeated attacks by armed bandits, leaving many persons killed, others abducted and villages deserted.
The PDP governors’ meeting, which was held in Gusau, was hosted by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. In attendance were the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State, Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun State).
They had earlier met in Asaba, Delta State Capital, in January and in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, in April.
Pictures and videos, which were circulated on the social media, showed the PDP governors wearing traditional gowns and turbans along with caps that matched the style.
Observers believe that these are formal and elegant clothes typically worn for important public events or celebrations, but the residents said it was an insult to them by the governors.
The PDP governors were sighted posed for photographs, smiling and exchanging banters; a manner that is akin to a political jamboree ahead of elections.
The PDP governors had, during their meeting in Gusau, commended the initiatives by the state government to “significantly” curb insecurity within the state, but condemned what they described as the continued monstrous killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger and Benue States and other parts of the country.
They had also called on the federal government to be more responsive to the lives and properties of the citizenry.
Critics alleged that such formal dressing and cheerful posturing gave the impression of indifference or detachment from the suffering of ordinary people in Zamfara State.
It was gathered that the governors chartered a plane from Abuja and landed at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, where they were said to be received by the deputy governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mani Malam Mummuni.
Considering that the construction of airport in Zamfara has not been completed, the deputy governor was said to have led the governors to Gusau by road, accompanied by heavily armed soldiers.
“You know the road is not safe. So, the convoy has to move at a high speed,” a source told Daily Trust.
‘PDP govs have failed’
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, a resident of Gusau, who gave his name as Abdullahi Ali, said the money spent on organising the PDP’s governors’ meeting should have been channelled towards assisting displaced persons and others severely affected by the insecurity.
“Some people feel that the money could have been used to assist those affected by insecurity—people who have no shelter or food to eat. There are also the sick among them who cannot afford medical treatment,” he said.
He also criticised the visiting governors for failing to visit affected communities or publicly acknowledge the severity of the crisis in Zamfara.
“Our governor should have taken them around so they could see the level of insecurity ravaging the state. Maybe then they would have shown some compassion and offered their support,” he added.
Another resident of Gusau, who gave her name as Jummai ‘Yar Malam, said: the way the visiting governors dressed showed “they are not concerned about the situation we are going through.
“Hundreds of women are now widows who are finding it difficult to feed their orphans…But then, look at what the governors are displaying. It is a shame indeed,” she said.
According to another resident, “the visiting governors praised our governor, but they did not even talk about the killings that are happening here. They condemned killings in other states, not ours”.
A resident of Kaura Namoda, Muhammad Ibrahim, said: “It is quite unfortunate. While our loved ones are being killed by bandits, the governors met in Gusau to strategise on how to win elections.
“The photos of PDP governors in full ceremonial robes, grinning for the camera is totally out of place in an environment that still reeks of so much blood and sorrow.
“This act alone further underlines an important fact: neither the ruling APC nor the incurably afflicted PDP care about the people and their suffering. They only care about power and politics.” ADC said.
It said: “We wish to remind Mr. President that diplomacy abroad is meaningless if safety and security at home cannot be guaranteed.
“It is equally appalling to note that President Tinubu has not made a direct statement of condolence to family of victims or given the assurance of safety to those still alive. This negligence would have been unthinkable in those countries that the President loves to visit.
“ADC therefore calls for an immediate declaration of a State of Emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States until the government is able to stem the tide of bloodshed in those places and restore some order.
“We also call on President Tinubu and his government to embark on total re-evaluation of Nigeria’s national security architecture, which has already proven incapable of protecting lives and property. The recent call by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for citizens to acquire self-defence skills is perhaps the most honest indicator yet that there is a need to rethink the entire internal defence system,” the party stated
“Several villages have been under attacks across Kaura Namoda Local Government for the past one month and we have called on the government severally to help us, but the government has never come to our rescue.
“Unfortunately, during last Saturday’s by-election, a large number of security personnel were deployed to the local government. I learnt that apart from police and soldiers, the state government also deployed many personnel of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG) for an election that is held in just six out of the 11 wards in the local government.
“We are disappointed in the PDP governors. We expect them to put their heads together and find a lasting solution to the lingering banditry issue that has been disturbing us for years. All we need from them is to address this problem but they ignored us.”
Aminu Musa, another residents, said the PDP governors were expected to show their concern about the condition the people of Zamfara State and help Governor Dauda Lawal to address the insecurity “because it is the major problem affecting the state.”
He said the security situation in the country was of grave concern to the PDP governors that it took centre stage in their deliberation and resolution as contained in the communique.
DAILY TRUST.
