•Says state govt doing its very best to reclaim lost grounds
•Adds: PDP govs determined to keep party together
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Friday, said that the security situation in the state is improving with the killing of several terrorist leaders in the state The governor also said that although his administration is doing its best to rid the state of banditry, the fate of the people ultimately lies in God’s hands.
Speaking to journalists after meeting behind closed doors with the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Lawal said, “We are doing the best that we can to make sure we secure the lives and properties of our people.. but it’s in the hands of God “
His comments came hours after armed bandits killed a police officer and kidnapped an expatriate and scores of travellers, including some workers of a construction firm in Zamfara on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred when the heavily armed bandits blocked the ever-busy Tsafe-Funtua road for several hours, shooting at moving vehicles.
But the governor said, “The reality is that the insecurity in Zamfara State has existed for the past 12 years, and as a responsible government, we are tackling it head-on.
“We are doing the best that we can to ensure the lives and properties of our people. It’s an ongoing process and will continue until we end this banditry issue in Zamfara and, invariably, Nigeria as a nation.”
The Governor, who declined to list specific measures by his administration, argued that “the security situation is not something I can discuss on camera. But all I can say is, we are doing our best to make sure we handle the situation.”
He noted that the efforts have yielded some results, including killing some major bandit leaders.
Asked how soon Zamfara residents should expect calm restored to the state, Lawal replied, “I’m praying that even by tomorrow, they [Zamfara residents] can go to sleep. We’re doing the best that we can, but it’s in the hands of God.”
He also told journalists that all governors are determined to keep the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party, in one piece despite the ongoing turmoil.
The crisis within the PDP ballooned into two factions on Thursday, each of whom traded suspensions of the members.
The Damagum-led faction first suspended the National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and set up a committee to probe their alleged disloyalty to the party.
Likewise, the Ajibade faction responded by suspending the acting national chairman, Damagum and the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
But Lawal, who spoke in Hausa, said, “There is no political party without challenges. This is a political issue. As you know, we are looking for ways to overcome these challenges. It is not only about the PDP.”
On claims that the party has no leader, he replied, “Anyone can say what they want. It is not true, and we know it is not. We are fully on the ground to ensure the party stands strong.”
The Governor also noted that the Zamfara state is intentional about empowering its girls and is “making significant progress in that area, and it will continue.” (Vanguard)
