A group known as the Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has strongly 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 two parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance.
The group's executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed deep concern over the state's worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings, and destruction of properties.
Adams accused Governor Lawal of being one of the worst-performing governors in the country, lacking the capacity to govern and engaging in frivolous spending while the people suffered.
According to Adams, the governor's actions have emboldened bandits and kidnappers, who 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 are a clear disregard for the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers, which are fundamental to democracy.
"The governor should know that the same election that brought him to office and grants legitimacy to him as the governor is the same election that guarantees constitutional powers to the members of the State House of Assembly to act and represent their constituencies," Adams said.
"No authority confers on him a more deserving priority order than that he is the governor of the State and must act within the constitutional allowance of his office.
"He is required to observe the principles of the rule of law, the principles of separation of powers and the observance of Checks and Balance, tenets without which democracy is no longer democracy but authoritarianism.
"The governor in failing to truly understand the tenets of democracy and uphold same, has also failed to take a cursory look at the House Standing Rules, but instead has gone on a miserable sightseeing, thinking that as a governor he has total tyrannical control and that the State Legislators are stooges and thus intends to turn them to effective rubber stamps.
"He failed woefully and has mis-constructed and misconstrued our democracy and the separation of powers, undermining it and insulting our collective sensibilities. He also underestimated the resilience of the 24 gallant patriots of democracy.
"Unfortunately, he is left with no option but must obey the new leadership of the House of Assembly or face the wrath of the people in an escalating crisis, which will make the State completely ungovernable for him and directly compel a declaration of the State of Emergency.
"We believe that the governor's actions are a recipe for chaos and anarchy, and it's only a matter of time before the situation becomes ungovernable. We call on the authorities to intervene and restore order in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens."
The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership also commended the 10 lawmakers who have been fighting for their rights and the rights of their constituents, despite facing intimidation and harassment from the governor's camp.
"These lawmakers have shown courage and conviction in standing up for what is right, and we urge them to continue to defend the interests of their constituents," Adams said.
The group's call for a state of emergency in Zamfara State is based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), which empowers the president to declare a state of emergency in a state where the structure of government has broken down.
"We believe that the situation in Zamfara State meets this criteria, and it's imperative that the authorities take swift action to restore order and stability," Adams said.
The group warned that if the situation is not addressed, it could lead to further escalation of violence, displacement of people, and humanitarian crisis.
They urged the authorities to take immediate action to address the security challenges and ensure that the government is accountable to the people.
The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore order and stability in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
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