Politics
Yari – Zamfara Circle Distribution Of Ramadan Palliative To IDPS In Zamfara State : A Mist Or Reality
By Godwin Eze Nwanta
The distribution of Ramadan palliative by former Zamfara Gov Abubakar Yari to IDPs currently going on in Zamfara state is an effort worthy of commendation from all well meaning Nigerians, particularly those who are quite conversant with the state of IDPs in the country.
The distribution of the foodstuffs by the former Gov which is being coordinated by an agent of politics and non governmental organisation called Zamfara Circle Community Initiative, have no doubt go a long in atleast relieving some of the difficulties of the IDPs in Zamfara state.
Reports have it that the NGO/ agent of Yari political campaign has so far distributed large volume of the palliative to several camps of the IDPs in the state in the name of supporting the IDPs Yari himself created during his reign.
The gesture has no doubt helped the vulnerable in the IDP camps and put smile on the faces of the needy as shown in an opinion poll I have conducted in some of the IDP camps I visited in the state while trying to evaluate this exercise.
The controversy surrounding the motives of the exercise is however a subject of discussion that attracted this piece of write up.
I have weighed the validity or otherwise of each of the sides of the arguement and feel obliged to add my voice to the debate.
Many people see the gesture as a welcome and meaningful contribution to the welfare of the IDPs, while many others equally see it as untimely and playing with the intelligence of Zamfara people to secure political popularity and sympathy for the former Gov, as it came when Yari is fighting the APC and Zamfara government under the leadership of Gov Bello Matawallen Maradun.
However, what remains indisputable is the fact that Yari, as the former Gov of the state would have averted this political populism exercise if he had done the right thing when he had the opportunity during the 8 year reign of his government when he was the Gov of the state.
Many people kept wondering as many others keep asking questions that are left unanswered; Where was Yari when the IDPs emerged during the 8 year period he ruled the state as governor?
How has Yari’ government handled the issue of IDPs that situation and conditions of the IDPs degenerates to the present state of the IDPs?
Did the former Gov allowed the husbands, parents, relations and guardians of the IDPs to be carelessly killed just for him to use them as tools for his political campaigns or deliberately refused to take the issue of security as serious as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria required him to when he was entrusted with the lives and property of the people of Zamfara state due to ignorance of the fundamental human rights laws or flagrant abuse of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
Did Yari knew that if he had taken the conflict between Vigilante groups and the Fulani in Zamfara state properly with due deligence, banditry would have been averted?
Did Yari know that if he had been on top of issues in the fight against bandits like the current Gov Bello Matawallen Maradun does, the distribution of such palliative to IDPs isn’t necessary, instead something else would have provided to the poor in the state. Did Yari realise that if he had concentrated his primary responsibility on providing good governance as being campaigned by his agent of politicking, the Zamfara Circle Community Initiative, the conflict between the two rival groups( Yansakai and Bandits) wouldn’t have emerged?
Did Yari forget when copies of the Holy Quran were being thrown into toilets without any serious action to stop the menace by his government, in a state that implements shariah law.
Instead, Yari relocated to Abuja frequently visiting the UK, US and the Middle east, turned the secondary responsibility of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as his primary responsibility, always attending series of meetings in Abuja discussing political maneuvers and agenda, including high level corruption in order to always be at the helm of affairs of this country, abandoning people that elected him into power at the mercy of the marauding bandits.
Yari is now paying for his careless miscarriage of justice to the innocent people of Zamfara state and it is nemesis thst is now hunting him. He is now a wounded lion struggling to fix himself and his political associates into the scheme of things with no success in sight.
If this futile exercise by Yari and his hired agents, the Zamfsra Circle is not political, why shouldn’t he give his contributions to the government to do it through the state ministry of humanitarian and disaster management as did other contributors like Dangote, Tinubu, Zulum etc, which the ministry has been doing along with the state government paliative and other humanitarian supports it has been rendering to the IDPs, rather than channelling the distribution through an organization that is being accused an agent foreign enemies blindly criticising the govternment? It is therefore time for Yari and his co-travellers to stop deceiving the people, join hands with the present government of Matawallen Maradun to build strong Zamfara state, rather than the do or die kind of political opposition he and his co- travellers engaged into, destabilizing the unity, understand and cooperation among the hitherto one family state. This, I strongly believe will support consolidate the gains and the successes being achieved by Gov Matawalle in the fight against insecurity in the state, so as to secure the lives and property of the people he is clamouring to rule for life.
Godwin Eze Nwanta is a public affairs commentator at no 78 Oshodi Lagos.
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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