Politics
Gov Bello Matawalle And The Efforts To Unite Zamfara For Security, Prosperity, Development
BY AMINU SULEIMAN GUMMI
Until 2018, when Senator Kabiru Marafa representing Zamfara Central at the senate began to openly criticize his Gov Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar at the floor of the Senate, the political dynasty remained one in Zamfara state with its founding father Senator Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura as its leader and pilot.
The dynasty which transformed from APP to ANPP and now APC, was a united family with total submission to its leadership, policies and decisions. The unity among the members and its major stakeholders was what gave Gov Yari the opportunity to rule Zamfara like his own private company, enjoying the state complete obedience and respect, to the extent that the opposition PDP was almost nonexistent.
Aggrieved by Senator Mafara’s behaviour and attitudes towards Gov Yari, the then Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum vowed not to allow Marafa another ticket to the next Senate, an intention which made Yari to be on top of the selection process for those wishing to contest for any position in the APC executives and the primary elections in the state. Provokes by Yari’s action and decision in this regard, Marafa decided to form his faction within the party for anti party activity during the 2019 election, an ambition Senator Kabiru Marafa realized.
The realization of the Marafa intentions and ambition to paralyze the APC in the state was successfully completed by the supreme court’s ruling that rendered the APC’s victory in the 2019 election by declaring the next political party with highest scores and the required votes spread as the winner of the 2019 election.
Since then, the party has been in disarray, Yari began serious war with Yarima, despite him being his political mentor and father who brought him into politics. This gave the opposition PDP that had never won any governorship elections in the state, began to push in taking over the political dynasty of Zamfara state.
However, going by the many challenges of insecurity amd abject poverty bedivelling the state with the political uprising and the blind opposition in the state, as well as Gov Matawalle’s urge for peace and stability, he was convinced by the National leadership of the APC to join the party to help unite the state for peace and tranquility to reign in Zamfara to bring forth, prosperity, unity, security and development of the state.
After joining the party, the Gov has now focused his efforts and attention towards bringing all the warring members and stakeholders together with their supporters as a family to help fight the common fronts, particularly in the fight against armed banditry and poverty facing the state, to an end.
Soon after the inauguration of the state APC Caretaker committee of Senator Hassan Mohammed Nasiha Gusau, the Gov has been in a wide range consultation with all the APC stakeholders in the state to reconcile their grievances to forgive one another to face the challenges facing the state, rather than politicking, while bandits are killing and kidnapping innocent citizens of the of the state by day.
As part of such efforts by the Gov, he visited today Thursday, July 202, President Muhammadu Buhari along with the state APC stakeholders to pay sallah homage and brief the President on the state of things in politics and security in Zamfara state.
The President expressed delight and happiness over the visit and appreciated the efforts of Gov Bello Matawalle in trying to bring the people of the state together for a common goal , saying the future of the country would be shaped by the diligence and honesty of those who document history and provide analysis of situations, knowing the value of what obtained in the past, and afterwards.
President Buhari said it would be unfortunate to mislead electorate with lies, and personal bias, reiterating the need to put the larger interest of the country beyond other colorations.
“For the time remaining, and for those who have one more term in office based on the provision of the constitution, the elections are important to the parties.”
The President advised the governor and the APC leaders in the state to remain steadfast on delivering their promises to the people.
“We have done our best and thank God for what we have been able to achieve with the available resources, otherwise we would have been in trouble,’’ he added.
The President said the security situation had improved compared to the hitherto situation in Zamfara state.
“The subsequent development in the North West is the most amazing.
” If you look at the situation in relation to time and resources, you will find out what we have been able to achieve, is worthy of appreciation’’ the President noted. To buttress what the President has said, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu noted:
“I drove from Kebbi State to Daura, and stopped to pick the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, and realized that for the eight hours of coming here, we didn’t see more than 10km of land that was not cultivated.
“It goes to show that the efforts to improve security is paying off. Farmers are taking advantage and planting.
As a complete gentleman of the highest order and a dodged fighter to the core with Zamfara state behind his mind and government, Gov Bello Matawalle has vowed to ensure the unity of Zamfara people and safety of their lives and property within weeks, God willing.
Aminu Suleiman Gummi is a public commentator at no 10, Sabon Fegi Gusau, Zamfara state.
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, I’m calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“I’m calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election
Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,” Lawal said. “We will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.”His emergence underscores the party’s push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APC’s preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Lagos lawmaker, Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the party’s candidacy in Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 ahead of the 2027 general election.Adewale, a current member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, scored 19,111 to defeat his closest rival, Obawole Quadri lawal, who polled 295 votes.Three other aspirants in the election that was monitored by the state electoral officers, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, Afolabi Ajiboye, Akinyemi Temitope, and Adewale Lateef, scored 165, 73 and 33 votes respectively.The primary election was conducted peacefully on Wednesday across seven political wards in the constituency.A youth leader and participant in the exercise, Demola Olajide, said the peaceful exercise was the result of the maturity of the aspirants and the members’ respect for party supremacy.In a ‘thank you’ message to his constituents on Thursday, Adewale described his victory at the primary election as democracy in action.He noted that the beauty of the exercise was that he had despite having other aspirants, the election was peaceful.”What makes this moment special wasn’t just the win. It was the voices that were heard, the choices people made freely, and the peaceful process that let a community decide its own path forward.”That’s the heart of democracy: every vote counts, every opinion matters, and power flows from the people up.”May this new chapter bring the progress and unity we have promised to fight for. The real work starts now and our leaders are watching with hope.”Let’s be further determined to increase our support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other candidates of the party in the 2027 election,” he urged.
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