Insecurity: Zamfara NDC accuses Gov Lawal of failing to fulfil campaign promise

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal, over persistent bandit attacks in the state, accusing his administration of failing to fulfil its campaign promise to tackle insecurity despite spending on the problem.

In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the Zamfara State NDC Chairman, Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, expressed concern over the rising insecurity and condoled with families who lost loved ones in recent bandit attacks.

Maikatako said the party shared the grief of affected communities and would continue to hold the state government accountable for its response to the security crisis.

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“I speak as Chairman of the NDC, the strongest opposition party in Zamfara, a party that shares the pain of our people and will continue to hold this government accountable.

“I condole with every family across Zamfara that has lost a loved one, and with every community in Bukuyum, Gwashi, Maru, Dansadau, Bindi in Bungudu, and all our towns and villages living in fear,” he said.

The NDC chairman also faulted Lawal over his 2023 campaign promise to end insecurity, saying residents had voted for him in the hope that his administration would restore peace across the state.

“The people believed and voted for him with hope. Three years and some months later, that promise remains unfulfilled,” he said.

The party also recalled Lawal’s criticism of the Federal Government before his administration aligned with the ruling party, questioning the benefits of the change for Zamfara residents.

“Now you are part of it, what benefit have the people of Zamfara gained?” Maikatako asked.

He further criticised the governor’s reported position against negotiating with bandits, arguing that the government should demonstrate its commitment to security through concrete action.

“If you will not negotiate with bandits, then fight them. Crush them. Show us operations, intelligence, and results,” he said.

Maikatako also urged residents to reject Lawal in the next governorship election, insisting that the administration had failed to meet public expectations on security.

He called on the people of Zamfara to support the NDC and its governorship candidate, Senator Kabir Marafa, in the forthcoming election.

The allegations and criticisms were contained in the NDC chairman’s statement. The statement did not provide details of the security expenditure cited in the criticism or include a response from the governor’s office.