From Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau
Former Zamfara State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Danmalikin Gidan-Goga has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to stop playing blame game on security matters against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle.
Danmalikin-Gidangoda made the call in a press conference Sunday in Gusau Zamfara State capital, urging the Governor to pay more attention on his constitutionally assigned duties which includes tackling the security challenges bedeviled the state instead.
The former commissioner while condemning the recent attacks on Matawalle by Governor Lawal, said the most important is to focus on issues surrounding policies meant to move the state forward and to ensure total support for the ongoing military onslaughts against banditry as directed by the President through the office of the Minister of State for Defense.
Danmalikin Gidan-Goga further observed that, such comments in the media by Governor Lawal against his predecessor, Matawalle, have no value to the development of the state.
He said Governor Lawal must collaborate with Matawalle to come up with formidable strategies to tackle the security challenges facing the state provided his priority is on liberating the innocent lives of the good people of the state.
“The two leaders should collaborate to ensure the success of the ongoing anti-banditry operations in the state by the Federal Government.
“I think Gov. Lawal should stop the blame game on unnecessary issues, let him focus on the development of the state.
“The Federal Government is making a welcome but great efforts as regards to the fight against insecurity.
“The state government must also use its machinery like the Community Protection Guard (CPG) judiciously towards ensuring peace and stability in the state,”he explained.
According to him, Matawalle should be commended for the recent achievements recorded in the anti-banditry fight not only in Zamfara but in the entire North-West region.
Danmalikin-Gidangoga said, “I am calling on Governor Dauda Lawal to keep politics aside and collaborate with Matawalle and the security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state.
“I think the security issue is a collaborative responsibility as contained in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, therefore, it is beyond personal interest,” he added.
The former commissioner further said that the Federal Government has made notable strides in tackling insecurity, especially through its targeted efforts to combat banditry in Zamfara and the North-West.
He said that, since the inauguration of the ongoing military operations in the region by Matawalle as directed by Mr. President, bandits’ activities had drastically reduced to the barest minimum.
He said, “The ongoing operations neutralized key bandit leaders in the North- West including one of the most wanted bandits, Halilu Sububu.
“I enjoin our gallant troops to ignore comments by any group of people or individual against their onslaughts, but to sustain their efforts in restoring peace and stability in the country.
“Gov. Lawal should focus on interest of the state, the major needs of Zamfara citizens is security, peace and stability.”
“Matawalle as the Minister of State for Defence is doing the needful, all we need to do is to support him irrespective of any political differences,” the former Commissioner has urged.