The Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth League has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to cease what it termed as “unwarranted attacks” on the Minister of State for Defence, Dr.Bello Matawalle. The group criticized the governor for allegedly engaging in character assassination instead of concentrating on governance and addressing the challenges facing the state.
Speaking to the press in Abuja on Thursday, the League’s coordinator, Ubaidullah Yahaya Kaura, expressed disappointment over the governor’s approach. He argued that rather than focusing on delivering services and building on the achievements of his predecessor, Gov. Lawal has resorted to levelling accusations against Matawalle. Kaura highlighted that the immediate past governor left a solid foundation, which the current administration is benefiting from but failing to acknowledge.
Kaura noted that since Gov. Lawal took office in 2023, there has been a noticeable decline in various sectors across Zamfara State, including health, education, and infrastructure. The youth leader cited increased unemployment, deteriorating healthcare services, and declining agricultural productivity as key indicators of the state’s regression. He pointed out that many healthcare workers are now threatening to strike over poor welfare conditions, which have not been addressed by the new administration.
The APC Youth League also raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara. According to Kaura, under Dr. Matawalle’s administration, security was significantly improved through a strategic approach that balanced both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. He highlighted that during Matawalle’s tenure, there were no reported incidents of terrorist or bandit attacks for nine consecutive months. In contrast, the group alleged that the current governor has dismantled many of these effective strategies, leading to a resurgence of insecurity across the state.
Addressing allegations against Matawalle, the League referenced recent dismissals of such claims by top government officials, including Special Adviser to the President Bayo Onanuga and the National Security Adviser (NSA). Kaura insisted that the accusations were baseless, emphasizing that multiple investigations had found no evidence implicating Matawalle in any wrongdoing. He argued that the retention of Matawalle in the federal cabinet serves as a testament to his innocence and continued trust by the government.
Kaura further criticized Governor Lawal’s claim that Matawalle did nothing during his tenure, describing it as laughable and ironic. He pointed out that the governor is currently using the modern Government House built by Matawalle, yet still accuses him of achieving nothing. The youth leader highlighted several of Matawalle’s accomplishments, including the construction of the Government House, renovations of the State House of Assembly, and the establishment of additional guest houses to accommodate state visitors, thereby reducing government expenditure on hotel bills.
The APC Youth League advised Governor Lawal to emulate the successes of his predecessor by continuing to invest in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Kaura urged the governor to prioritize the needs of the people of Zamfara State and to build upon the foundation laid by Matawalle instead of engaging in political attacks. He emphasized that the role of a governor is to deliver development and progress, not to dwell on criticisms of past administrations.
Kaura pointed to the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Zamfara State Social Investment Program. These initiatives, he said, were instrumental in providing support to the poor and vulnerable populations, especially during crises. The social investment programs reportedly created jobs for youths and women, offering capital to start small businesses and improving overall economic activity in the state.
The League concluded by calling on Governor Lawal to focus on governance and replicate the successes of Matawalle’s social and economic initiatives to drive progress and development in Zamfara. They stressed the need for the current administration to put the interests of the people first and work towards addressing the pressing challenges faced by the state rather than engaging in political squabbles.
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