As the disagreement between Zamfara State governor and his predecessor lingers, a group, All progressives Congress (APC) Renewed Hope Integrity Network (ARHIN) has alleged that there are plots by disgruntled elements to cause rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
The group in a statement signed by the National coordinator Mal. Danjuma Umar, argued that those behind the plot are nothing but clout chasers working for some politicians under investigation for fraudulent activities.
The group distanced Governor Lawal from the move by the presidential candidate of the opposition peoples democratic party (PDP) to ascertain the authenticity of the Chicago state university certificate of President Tinubu.
“There is no transaction receipt or evidence indicating that such payments were made and since Atiku Abubakar himself is a self made businessman, it is only a work of mischief to insinuate that he got broke and needed a sponsor,” they noted.
“Who sponsored Atiku’s legal battles before the arrival of Dauda Lawal on the political scene? Is Dauda the only PDP Governor in Nigeria? These are questions for those who feel that by tarnishing Dauda’s image and relationship with the President, they can get away with their fraud.”
The group equally described as laughable, the barefaced lie that Governor Lawal sponsored the legal team of Atiku Abubakar to prove his worth as a newcomer in the field of politics, adding that “how else can an opposition politician prove his worth more than defeating an incumbent Governor with all the state resources at his disposal.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Dauda does not need to prove his worth to anybody. He has already shown the people of Zamfara State that he is a worthy leader and has already started delivering people-oriented leadership. He has gown after corruption to recover stolen property and funds to the rightful owners. That alone is prove enough of his competency, character and integrity, “the release added.
The release pointed out that as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Dauda has “every right to comment on issues of national importance and even if he called for the resignation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over allegations of certificate forgery, which he never did, he will only be exercising his freedom of speech and voicing his opinion as a leader.
” The Nigerian constitution frowns at forgery, and those found wanting can not be trusted with public office. It was not wrong for Atiku Abubakar to seek legal clarification, and those who supported him should not be seen as targets for cheap blackmail. “
ARHIN equally unravelled a bizarre and retrogressive plot by Matawelle and his cohorts to disconnect Zamfara State from the centre by blocking the Executive Governor of the state from having access to the President.
This move, the group insisted, is not just callous but highly inimical to the development and welfare of the good people of Zamfara State who are just recovering from the spate of insecurity and poverty.
“It’s unfortunate that this rogue tactic is being employed in total disregard to the suffering of Zamfara Citizen by a man too desperate to cover his thieving mess without considering the collateral damage his unpatriotic action is doing to the security and wellbeing of the Zamfara citizens.
The rights group concluded by urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed Nigerians to “dismiss such unfounded speculations and concentrate on building an economically strong an prosperous Nigeria of our dreams in line with the renewed hope agenda now that the Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Tinubu instead of looking for non-existent scapegoats”.
