By Aminu Dalhatu
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Zamfara State has defended Senator Kabir Garba Marafa recent statement that he would resign if he failed to address the state’s challenges, particularly insecurity, if elected as governor of Zamfara State.
The party described the statement as an expression of accountability, honesty and responsible leadership.
The Zamfara State NDC Publicity Secretary, Abdulkasim Almustapha Kayatawa, stated this in a rejoinder to an article by Suleiman Ahmad Tudu, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, titled “The Candidate Campaigning with a Resignation Letter.”
Almustapha Kayatawa said the article misrepresented Marafa’s position during a Hausa interview with DCL, insisting that, the former senator had clearly distinguished between the responsibilities of the state and federal governments in tackling insecurity.
According to him, Marafa had pledged to fulfil his responsibilities as governor while also promised to pressuring the federal government to meet its obligations in addressing the state’s security challenges.
He explained that, Marafa’s resignation remark was conditional on his failure to achieve results after fulfilling his responsibilities and making efforts to ensure that the federal government did the same.
The NDC spokesperson argued that, the position demonstrated a willingness to accept responsibility rather than make promises without accountability, adding that, the party’s candidate possessed the experience and commitment required to lead the state.
Kayatawa also criticised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration over the persistent insecurity in Zamfara, alleging that, the government had failed to fulfil its 2023 campaign promise to end banditry and restore peace to the state.
He noted that residents continued to face killings, abductions, attacks on communities and other security threats, arguing that, the situation had undermined public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
The spokesperson questioned the administration’s emphasis on other achievements, including the payment of salary arrears and the recruitment of teachers, arguing that, such interventions could not fully address the needs of residents without adequate security.
He also accused Governor Lawal of showing insufficient empathy for victims of insecurity, citing alleged instances in which the governor attended political engagements while communities in the state were experiencing attacks.
Almustapha Kayatawa specifically alleged that, seven people were killed in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and criticised the governor for attending an APC presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna rather than visiting the affected community.
The NDC spokesperson maintained that insecurity remained a major challenge under the present administration, alleging that armed groups continued to attack communities and that residents were still living in fear.
On the government’s position against negotiating with bandits, the NDC spokesperson argued that rejecting negotiations must be accompanied by effective security measures to protect residents from attacks.
He said the government had a constitutional and moral responsibility to safeguard lives and property, adding that, residents expected practical results rather than political statements on insecurity.
Almustapha Kayatawa also described Senator Marafa as a leader with legislative experience and a record of raising security concerns during his time in the Senate, adding that, Marafa had consistently drawn attention to the challenges facing Zamfara and advocated for affected communities.
The spokesperson also cited Marafa’s alleged contributions to education and employment opportunities, claiming that the former senator had supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study in Nigeria and abroad and helped constituents secure federal appointments.
He emphasized that, Zamfara residents needed leadership that would prioritised security, accountability and effective governance, insisting that, Marafa’s resignation remark should be viewed as a commitment to responsibility rather than a political weakness.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
