The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has accused the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, of hindering the efforts of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to tackle insecurity in the state.
Recently, Governor Lawal criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its alleged lack of resolve in addressing the severe insecurity in Zamfara and northern Nigeria. However, the AYCF, through its president-general Yerima Shettima, claimed that Governor Lawal has failed to manage the security crisis in Zamfara effectively.
The AYCF highlighted an incident where, on the same day female students from the Federal University Gusau were abducted, Governor Lawal left for a personal trip to the United States, leaving the state without leadership during a critical time.
Shettima stated, “Governor Lawal’s unwarranted trip to the United States at such a critical time demonstrates his disconnection from the realities on the ground in Zamfara. It was alarming that the governor remained incommunicado and inaccessible to efforts from the Ministry of Defence and federal government officials seeking his cooperation.”
The forum further alleged that Governor Lawal has consistently refused to collaborate with federal initiatives to combat insecurity, thereby undermining collective efforts. This claim was supported by a viral video showing bandits pledging allegiance to him.
The AYCF praised the Ministers of Defence and the NSA for their efforts in coordinating military, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies to combat nationwide security threats. They specifically commended Matawalle’s proactive measures in addressing resource shortages, inadequate training, and operational constraints that have previously hindered security efforts.
The AYCF called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore detractors and trust in the commitment of Matawalle and Ribadu to his administration’s agenda.
News Editor