Abuja, Jan. 15, 2024 (NAN): Dr. Sani Shinkafi, the former Deputy Chairman of the Bello Mohammed Matawalle Zamfara State Governorship Campaign Committee 2023, has congratulated Gov. Dauda Lawal on his victory at the Supreme Court.
Shinkafi, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, urged all stakeholders to come together to tackle insecurity in Zamfara.
He said that the apex court judgement provided the opportunity for the governor and all politicians, irrespective of party affiliation, to work towards restoring the security of lives and property in the state.
According to him, state security is grossly affected by banditry, kidnapping of people for ransom, cattle rustling, the imposition of taxes and levies on farmers by the armed bandits, and the killings and displacement of citizens across the 14 local government areas of the state.
He said that the 10-month legal battles from the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to the Supreme Court were part of the democratic process that should be cherished and supported, irrespective of the outcome.
“This is the right time for progressive governance, which Lawal should utilise to deliver to the people the key elements of good governance, which comprise consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable, and inclusive.
“He should rule the state with the fear of God and provide dividends of democracy to assuage the sufferings of the people.
“The Judiciary has done its duty according to the constitution and democratic practice, which are binding on all parties that submit themselves to it,” he advised.
Shinkafi also urged the governor to embrace all sections of the state in delivering good governance and the dividends of democracy to the people.
”I advise the Governor to stop henceforth any form of political victimisation, witch hunting, and persecution of political opponents and invite all the critical political stakeholders for unity and a prosperous Zamfara State.
“We have no other state more than Zamfara State. I commend Lawal for his doggedness, maturity, and resilience in the political journey that saw him go all the way from the Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal, to the apex court.
”The performance of the APC candidate and the exemplary conduct of the members of the party who fought doggedly within the confines of democratic tenets through the legal battles demonstrated their capacity to continue to put the interest of the people above personal interest.
”I urge all members of the APC family not to be demoralised but to remain focused and united in building the party ahead of the 2027 general election for service to the people of Zamfara,” Shinkafi stated.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support of the APC family in Zamfara and the nation at large, as well as their commitment to the growth of democracy in Nigeria. (NAN)
