The Senior Special Assistant to the Zamfara State Governor on Broadcast Media, Press, and Public Affairs, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, has dismissed as baseless and unfounded the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the state government plans to deploy members of the outlawed vigilante group, Yan Sakai, to rig Saturday’s State House of Assembly bye-election in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Mustapha Kaura, stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Gusau.
According to him the allegation as malicious and untrue, aimed at tarnishing the image of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
He said Governor Lawal who has been in office for nearly three years, has never used thugs or vigilantes to influence elections.
Kaura stressed that, Governor Lawal government’s approach to politics was anchored on credibility, youth empowerment, and democratic principles.
The Governor’s aide alleged that, the APC faction loyal to the Minister of State for Defence was jittery over the anticipated outcome of the bye-election, hence resorting to baseless accusations to discredit the administration.
Mustapha Jafaru Kaura also challenged the APC to provide verifiable evidence, such as video footage or photographs, to substantiate its claim that members of the Yan Sakai were sighted at the Government House receiving uniforms and firearms to use during the election.
He explained that, Governor Lawal was busy visiting communities affected by bandit attacks in Banga, Kuriya, Madaru, Sakajiki, and other areas to commiserate with victims and reassure them of the government’s security plans.
The SSA questioned how the Governor could be engaged in such humanitarian visits and mobilising thugs, adding that, it was the opposition that had a history of political thuggery in the state during previous administrations.
The allegation originated from a statement by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, who claimed that members of the outlawed group had been sighted entering the Government House ahead of the bye-election and were being armed under the guise of the state’s security watch.
The Zamfara State House of Assembly bye-election will take place on Saturday in six wards of Kaura Namoda South Constituency.
Aminu Dalhatu.
