A former special adviser on inter-governmental affairs to the ex-governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has kicked against the call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara State.
Shinkafi, a former national secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), wants President Bola Tinubu to ignore the call, which, according to him, is coming from failed politicians.
The Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development made his stance known in a statement on Thursday, insisting that the removal of a governor, deputy, and state legislators is illegal and unconstitutional.
According to him, the security situation in the state has improved significantly, and people now go about their business unhindered.
The former governorship aspirant urged Governor Dauda Lawal to remain focused and continue to provide the dividends of democracy to the citizens of the state.
The politician warned political opponents to stop distracting the governor in his efforts to transform the state, adding that the interest of the people supersedes parochial partisan politics.
He noted that the call is coming from some self-centered politicians aiming to create political upheaval and destabilize the state, which is just recovering from years of armed banditry.
“It is outrageous that some failed politicians in the state would sponsor youths and other proteges to clamor for a state of emergency in Zamfara State now that security and peace have significantly improved, paving the way for economic activities and massive infrastructural development that eluded the people for over 13 years of unprecedented armed banditry long before Governor Dauda Lawal assumed office in 2023,” Shinkafi said.
“We commend President Tinubu and the military for sustained onslaughts against armed bandits and other criminal elements in Zamfara State in particular and the North West geopolitical zone in general. This is in tandem with the provision of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Those who call for a state of emergency in an atmosphere of peace, unity, stability, security, and thriving economic activities in Zamfara State are enemies of the people on whom sovereignty resides. They should not only be ignored but also questioned by security agents to unravel their agenda and sponsors.
“More importantly, a state of emergency where a governor is suspended or removed along with his deputy and state legislators is illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic, as the Supreme Court has already ruled.
“There is no place for a sole administrator of a state in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which is the nation’s grundnorm.
“Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides the process for the removal of a governor or deputy governor from office, while Section 305 of the Constitution states the procedure for the declaration of a state of emergency. Zamfara State does not fall under any of these clear provisions of the nation’s Constitution for removing a governor or declaring a state of emergency there.
“No right-thinking citizen will take these political hirelings seriously, as they are agents provocateurs doing the bidding of their sponsors. Otherwise, President Tinubu would have to declare a state of emergency in all 36 states and Abuja, as there are terrorists, insurgents, militants, bandits, secessionists, kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminal elements across the country.
“As a democrat who swore to uphold the Constitution, Mr. President will not contemplate an inappropriate declaration of a state of emergency.
“Governor Dauda Lawal provides strong, progressive, visionary, and purposeful leadership, working in synergy with President Tinubu and military authorities to crush armed banditry in Zamfara State, which has restored public safety and order in many parts of the state. It is democracy at its finest. Zamfara citizens have suffered enough due to protracted armed bandit attacks, kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and displacement from ancestral homes.
“It is time to rebuild the state, boost economic activities, and provide the fruits of democracy that will assuage the people’s suffering.
“It is time for patriotism. We urge politicians in the state to eschew politics of bitterness and contribute to transforming Zamfara State. Governor Lawal is not the issue; he should be allowed to do the job he was elected to do, devoid of undue distraction.”
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