A recent independent report has indicted Governors Dauda Lawal and Abba Kabir Yusuf of Zamfara and Kano states as major sponsors of the recently held nationwide protests.
The report condemned the roles played by the two governors in escalating the protests into violent and destructive actions.
The report, released by the Independent Coalition for Democratic Governance in Nigeria led by its convener, Dr Ben Omale Amodu, reveals a disturbing pattern of political thuggery and exploitation of public unrest for personal gain.
According to the report, the governors of Zamfara and Kano states, both from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), mobilised hoodlums to target political rivals, wreak havoc on public and private property, and loot valuables.
The report specifically highlights the destruction of the APC secretariat in Zamfara state, the vandalism and arson of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano State, and the attempted arson of the residence of the immediate past governor of Zamfara state.
The report’s findings suggest that the protests, which began as a peaceful expression of discontent with the government’s economic policies, were hijacked by anti-democratic forces and opposition elements seeking to destabilize the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The actions of the Zamfara and Kano state governors have been widely condemned as a blatant attempt to exploit public unrest for personal and political gain.
The Independent Coalition for Democratic Governance in Nigeria thereby called on the federal government to take decisive action to address the demands of the protesters, to prevent future occurrences of such destructive protests, and hold accountable those responsible for the violence and destruction.
Earlier, TimesNow.com.ng reported that the Arewa Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) has threatened the governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal, and also issued an ultimatum for him to apologise and resign from office.
This follows the alleged appointment of a suspected gunrunner, Bashir Hadejia, as Governor Lawal’s aide.
The group’s threat, caution and demand come after Governor Lawal distanced himself from Hajejia’s appointment and noted that the “forged” appointment letter was widely circulated for political reasons.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
