From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau
Communities in Zamfara state, particularly, muslims and some traditional institutions, have condemned the action of the governor of the state over his refusal to attend the annul muharram day celebration (islamic new year), despite his full knowledge about the event which took place on Sunday, the 7th of July, 2024.
It is gathered that even last year, 2023, governor Dauda did not also attend the event which angered many people across the state, especially the stakeholders as they believe that his absence made the event colourless.
In addition to his refusal to attend the event, according to the findings of The Authority in the state, the governor was also said to have allegedly refused to assist the organizers of the event with what they required to enable them carryout the exercise successfully.
Few days to the commencement of the ceremony, the governor was said to have left the state.
The action of the governor, which did not go down well with the people of the state left the stakeholders in suspense especially after they have extended invitation to many prominent personalities in and outside the state.
A number of the aggrieved persons both from the stakeholders and the organizers who spoke to our correspondent expressed their dissatisfaction with the way and manner the governor handled the event.
“Even last year, the same thing happened, because it was poorly celebrated”, revealed Malam Hafizu Ibrahim who was in attendance of the ceremony.
Hafiz stated that it is disappointing that a governor like Dauda Lawan who was cheered by everyone in the state could not attend such ceremony.
“Dauda should not be blamed, because he has different life here. His life and orientation differ from those of our people here”, revealed Alhaji Kabiru Samaila Gusau while making his contribution with regard to what governor Dauda Lawan exhibited in respect of the muharram celebration.
He explained that in 2023 celebration, he was part of those who continued to pursue the government to attend to them, adding that,” in fact we were at the office of the deputy governor for over ten hours waiting for the government’s intervention in that regard, but to no avail we only helplessly went ahead to do it with the little we had then, and so also this year. “
Speaking further, Samaila stated that may be the governor has no interest in such activities adding that, “but I personally was, and is still surprise that the Dauda I knew has now changed suddenly, because he was once one of those who were at the forefront in assisting any religious activities, in fact he was the first person in this state to have financially been addressing the problem of all the mosques and graveyards of the state. He expended huge amount of money to all the mosques across the state by rebuilding and building new ones as well as shouldering the medical bills of a number of people that were admitted at various health institutions who could not afford to settle same.”
He therefore advised the governor to be always available in anything to do with religion “because the people are watching and they will judge accordingly,” he submitted.
