The Northern Democratic Movement (NDM) has strongly criticized the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and its leader, Yerima Shettima, over their recent call for a state of emergency in Zamfara State, describing the demand as reckless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its convener, Hon. Ibrahim Sule Sarki, the NDM condemned the proposal as baseless and dangerous, accusing Shettima of attempting to exploit the region’s insecurity for personal gain.
“The NDM notes with dismay that Yerima Shettima, a self-appointed ‘leader’ whose only connection to Northern Nigeria is his occasional incendiary press releases, has once again chosen to milk a former Zamfara governor through dubious means to promote his narrative,” the statement read.
The group alleged that Shettima, based in Lagos, is disconnected from the realities on the ground in Zamfara and is using his platform for political patronage rather than contributing to genuine efforts to address insecurity in the North.
“While genuine Northern leaders are on the ground collaborating with communities and security agencies to address insecurity, Shettima issues reckless statements from the comfort of Lagos, a city far removed from the realities of Northwestern Nigeria, thanks to the chicken change he receives from a low-ranking minister,” it said.
The NDM further dismissed the AYCF as lacking legitimacy in Northern Nigeria, accusing it of being a one-man operation driven by Shettima’s personal ambition.
“Shettima’s AYCF lacks any meaningful structure, membership, or credibility in Northern Nigeria as it exists only as a platform for him to audition for patronage from political godfathers. His call for a state of emergency is a deliberate attempt to undermine the constitutional authority of Zamfara State’s democratically elected government and sow chaos for personal relevance,” the statement continued.
According to the group, the recent call for emergency rule appears to be part of a larger plot by a former Zamfara governor to distract the current administration, which it says is making headway in improving security.
“The NDM suspects that a former governor who depleted Zamfara’s resources and failed to provide security and infrastructure has now resorted to using Shettima to distract the incumbent governor, who is committed to restoring peace in Zamfara,” the group added.
Emphasizing support for Governor Dauda Lawal Dare, the NDM described his administration’s security strategy as results-oriented and inclusive.
“Security challenges in Zamfara require sustained, intelligence-driven strategies, not politically motivated grandstanding. Governor Dauda Lawal Dare’s administration has made measurable progress, including revitalizing community-led vigilance groups with improved training and oversight.
“Gov. Dare also cooperated with federal reinforcements for targeted operations in hotspot areas while launching socio-economic programs to address the root causes of banditry, such as unemployment and rural neglect.”
The NDM questioned Shettima’s personal involvement in addressing the crisis, urging him to clarify both his direct engagement in Zamfara and the AYCF’s contributions to peace efforts.
“The NDM challenges Shettima to publicly disclose the last time he visited Zamfara to engage directly with affected communities.
“We asked him to explain the AYCF’s tangible contributions to peacebuilding beyond issuing press statements, and his relationship with political interests benefiting from instability.”
The group also took aim at what it described as Shettima’s selective activism.
“Shettima’s hypocrisy is glaring. While he pontificates on Zamfara’s security, he has never condemned the role of corrupt federal actors, illegal arms traffickers, or external sponsors of banditry. His sudden ‘concern’ for Zamfara reeks of a paid agenda to scapegoat Governor Dare and destabilize the state for his benefactor, who has woefully failed to govern the state rightly when he held sway,” it said.
The NDM called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to ignore the AYCF’s position and instead prioritize reinforcing security measures in Zamfara.
The group warned against exploiting the region’s crisis for publicity.
“The state will no longer tolerate charlatans who weaponize our people’s pain for fame. Yerima Shettima represents nobody but himself. True Northerners are working quietly to rebuild our region, not chasing headlines in Lagos. Zamfara’s government deserves support, not sabotage.
“The NDM stands in solidarity with the people and government of Zamfara. We reaffirm our confidence in Governor Dare’s commitment to peace and call on all Nigerians to reject fear mongering by political jobbers like Yerima Shettima. Now is the time for unity, not toxic rhetoric.”
