A civil society organisation, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), has raised the alarm over alleged plans by unnamed groups to push for a state of emergency in Zamfara State, accusing “desperate politicians” of seeking to undermine the democratic process.
In a statement issued on Monday, PAPSD’s Executive Director, Alhaji Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, claimed the groups, sponsored by politicians who lost in recent elections, aim to destabilise the state and remove Governor Dauda Lawal unconstitutionally.
The group described the move as an attempt to “loot the treasury and impoverish the people” while distracting Lawal from his administration’s “widely acclaimed Rescue Mission.”
“These agents provocateurs are blinded by parochial interests and demonstrate ignorance of the Constitution,” Shinkafi said, referencing Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which outlines strict conditions for removing a governor or declaring a state of emergency.
He argued that Zamfara does not meet these conditions, warning that such calls risk overheating the polity and causing political upheaval.
Shinkafi urged President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as a democrat committed to upholding the rule of law, to dismiss the demands for a state of emergency.
“Nigeria is governed by law, not might. There is no place for dictatorship or autocracy in our constitutional democracy,” he added.
The group praised the collaborative efforts of Tinubu, Governor Lawal, and Nigeria’s security forces in tackling armed banditry in Zamfara, noting significant improvements in public safety.
These gains, PAPSD said, have spurred economic activity, infrastructural development, and social services, including the implementation of a ₦70,000 national minimum wage for civil servants.
Highlighting Lawal’s achievements since taking office on 29 May 2023, PAPSD listed the rehabilitation of general hospitals, completion of abandoned projects, and construction of over 400 primary schools. Other initiatives include the Gusau International Cargo Airport, Zamfara State University, and the beautification of the state capital to attract tourism and investment.
“Zamfara people have not had it so good since the state was created in 1996,” Shinkafi said, describing Lawal as a “servant-leader” with “exceptional political sagacity.”
He called on residents to set aside partisan politics and support the governor’s transformation agenda, dismissing the alleged plot as a failed attempt to distract Lawal.
PAPSD urged politicians to uphold democratic values and focus on building a better Zamfara rather than engaging in “politics of bitterness.”
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