A group, Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has condemned the escalating crisis in Zamfara State, calling for a state of emergency to be declared due to Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged disregard for the rule of law and inaction on insecurity.
The group cited the ongoing power tussle between the governor and the Zamfara State House of Assembly which has resulted in parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance.
The group’s executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed concern over the state’s worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings and destruction of properties.
According to Adams, bandits in the state have been emboldened and have sacked whole communities and made life unbearable for the people of the state.
“Rather than strenuously work at eliminating the hydra-headed challenges of poverty, kidnapping, and banditry, the governor would rather engage in frivolous spending, make hypocritical sympathy visits to victims of the almost daily attacks and the families of the dead,” Adams said.
The group also criticised Lawal for presenting the state’s 2025 budget to an illegitimate assembly leadership, further exacerbating the crisis.
They pointed out that the governor’s actions were a clear disregard for the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers, which are fundamental to democracy.
