Politics
Unveiled: How Zamfara Deputy Governor, Gusau Masterminded Fake Punch Newspaper Interview On My Behalf -Shettiman Rijiya Reveals

BY JIBRIN MUSTAPHA GUSAU
I came across an interview purported to have been granted by one Faruk Shatiman Rijiya and published by Punch Newspaper of 13th February, 2022.
That interview thrown me into laughter, as the aclaimed interviewee made himself, if at all, he granted that interview, a ramshackle bugaboo, who does not know his left and right in politics.
I would have not bordered myself in responding, but as a bonafide indigene of Zamfara state and a public commentator who has been following trend of events as they unfold in my state, as part of my contribution to the development of my state, I feel obliged to drop some hints, especially on the blind and wild allegations contained in the concocted interview, so that the general public can be guided to see and judge who the kind of person Faruk Shatiman Rijiya is and who His Excellency Governor Matawalle is.
As a native of Gusau, where Shatiman Rijiya hailed from and I know the kind of person he is. If at all, it was Shatiman Rijiya that granted that trash, called interview, I must note, with amazement, how gullible the State Secretary of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appeared in an interview he was said to have conducted with the Zamfara State’s correspondent of the Punch Newspaper.
This is even more laughable when (he) Shatiman Rijiya, who was all over media praising Gov Matawalle on the giant strides he made in both the security and infrastructural development in Zamfara state, is said to have granted that rubbish interview.
If it is true that the Zamfara chapter of the PDP scribe granted that interview, it is then unfortunate, astonishing and disgraceful to the party.
It has shown how incompetent, shameful and misguided party EXCO scribe Faruk Shatiman Rijiya is. Let me start by asking him to recall those days he was serving as the party publicity secretary, when he became blindfolded wooing the governor, praising him for the same things he is now criticising, especially by asking His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle to resign on security ground.
It is obvious that the opposition will not be happy as claimed by the said party scribe, certainly not on insecurity bedeviling the state, but on political ground that Matawalle’s defection costs their party.
First of all, to portray himself a party scribe without capacity confitence, to respond to questions from the journalist during the interview in common diction, it was interpreted to him, as he could neither reads no writes. How can an opposition that has ruled Nigeria for over 2 decades ( Miserably, though) could afford appointing a person that has never gone to school for even ones in his life, as its secretary in a state that the party never won election ever once, since restoration of democracy in Nigeria, until when Gov Matawalle contested the seat of Gov under the party.
Anyway, I shouldn’t be surprised as it is the type of opposition the PDP has been engaged on as its style of opposition, rather than objective critsms that can foster progress and development, promotes peace and tranquility in our nation. It may be recalled that the same PDP have been asking President Muhammadu Buhari to resign in a record instances. In essence it will be understood that its the party’s style of telling a particular politician that they are afraid of facing during elections.
Therefore, they are registering their fear that, Governor Bello Matawalle is no match for them, than their expectations politically.
You may not like Governor Bello Matawalle but you can not question his commitment in tackling banditry and other forms of insecurity in the state.
The said party secretary should have recalled that this administration inherited the problems of banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping, which started about ten years before Gov Matawalle’s assumption in office as the Executive governor of the state.
Perhaps, Faruk Shatiman Rijiya has forgot
Politics
Lagos Majority Leader Alleges Plans To Manipulate Primary Election Results
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.
Politics
Adewale Wins APC Lagos Assembly Ticket For Ifako-Ijaiye
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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