From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau
As the wind of banditry continued to blow increasingly in Zamfara, the governor of the state, Alhaji Bello Matawallen Maradun has again renewed his appeal to the entire people of the state to continue to pray for its stoppage.
The appeal, which was specifically directed at the religious, traditional and community leaders came after the security council meeting which was held at the government House Gusau, the capital of the state.
Matawallen Maradun while addressing journalists few hours after the meeting, said it was aimed at finding a lasting solution to the lingering calamity that bedeviled the state for over a decade.
He explained that although his administration had inherited the calamity, he is not relenting in the efforts towards bringing the situation down, so that people can go about their daily legitimate businesses without any fear of attack.
According to the governor who seemed disturbed during the address, no responsible government will fold its arms and allow the killing and maiming of its people at the expense of armed bandits.
Matawallen also disclosed that the issue of security is the business of all emphasized the need for all to come together and collectively fight it, adding that it is not an issue of politics as some people turned it to be, “because these people in the bush have no business with whichever political party one belongs to, whether you are for PDP or APC is not their business,” he added.
Speaking further, the governor stated that they will continue to fight the criminals until they are successful, even as he reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to dialogue. We understood that dialogue was the best option and which we saw the impact of because when we came with that idea after we took over the administration of this state, we invited all the critical stakeholders across the state, including traditional and religious leaders and told them our intention with regard to this problem, and they all welcome the idea.
After the adoption of the idea, we called all the leaders of the various groups that they should surrender the weapons and embrace peace and for nine months we have not heard or seen anything to the contrary as people began to exercise their right to live and transact their business unharmed but later things fell apart when some undesirable elements among us politicized it”.
The governor commented further that it is not the leadership that concerns him, but his people.” I am always worried to see or hear my people are being killed or kidnapped, this is not what I want,” he disclosed.
On the issue of his defection from his former party (PDP) to APC, Matawallen Maradun explained that he took the decision to change the party with aim of bringing the people together and collectively salvage the state, said he, “ I am appealing to all the people irrespective of political inclination, to as a matter of fact, join me in my quest to ridding the state of bad eggs so that we can face the developmental promises we made to our people, because without peace, no development can be possible anywhere in the world.”
