Security vs Politics: Governor Lawal Faces Backlash Over Handling of Banditry

GOVERNOR DAUDA UNDER FIRE FOR POLITICIZING SECURITY

Political analysts patriots and groups have lambasted Governor Dauda Lawal following his fiery media confrontation with the former Governor (Dr) Bello Matawalle at a time when successes are recorded in the fight against banditry in the North-West .
Dauda has recently been running from one media house to another pointing accusing fingers at the Minister of State for Defence even after the minister’s effort in confronting the menace of banditry which resulted in killing notorious bandits leaders including Kachalla Halilu Sububu.

It could be recalled that following the Minister of State for Defence’s visit to General Commanding Officers Headquarters to Sokoto together with Chief of Army Staff, General Christopher Musa, many bandit enclaves were raided by the Nigeria Army and many notorious felons have been taken out.
Refuting the recent wailings of the Zamfara State Governor, Lawal Dare, political analysts and media commentators have criticized him for prioritising politics over security in his state. Captain Bish Johnson in an interview with TVC News lamented that Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for putting politics over people’s safety.

A group under the auspices of Zamfara Elders Support for Peace and Development, has backed the minister of state for defence over the ongoing military operations in Zamfara and the entire North West region. The elders urged the Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal, to concentrate on how to deliver good governance to his subjects and leave Matawalle, alone, arguing that, “Governor Lawal could do better by building unity, development, and political cohesion in the state rather than creating unnecessary tension and overheating the polity.”

Describing the Dauda’s misdemeanor, a public affairs analyst and PR consultant, Deyemi Saka puts it this way: “The simple response to shoot down this foolery is that for as long as he is in office, it is beyond his pay grade and beyond the audacious stretch of his imagination to be in possession of hard facts, evidence and intel to make such bold claims. All he has done and has been doing for a while is indulging in reckless and silly talks because of his awareness of the fact that anything he says is considered newsworthy because of the office he presently occupies.”

Another activist and political analyst, Mahdi Shehu also drew the attention of the governor to his futile obsession with the past administration. In his words: ” It is time to remain in golden mute mode on Matawalle’s stewardship in Zamfara. It is time  to face governance head-on because  time is not on your side.”

Sen. Sani Shehu on his X handled opined “Now that the war against terrorism is turning the tides against Bandits leaders in the North West,the CDS Musa,Defence Minister of state Mutawalle, NSA Ribadu and others should remain focused and not distracted.Any person genuinely interested in bringing an end to these evil kidnappers and mass murderers should support the current efforts and encourage them to do more.”

Alas, the Zamfara State Governor appears to be stagnated in the past, playing an opposition card as if the mantle of Zamfara leadership is not in his hand.

• Ibrahim Bello Zauma