The Zamfara state governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has lambasted his predecessor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, over alleged ‘provocative utterances capable of causing disaffection among people of the state.’
The governor said this Wednesday in Gusau while receiving 55, 000 All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Bakura and Gummi local government areas of the state into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the statement credited to Yari smacked of the highest level of insensitivity for a person who had the benefit of ruling the state for eight years.
“It is very unfortunate that a former governor, who is supposed to be a statesman, could comments capable of causing disunity and unrest in the society,” he said.
Mutawalle also said it was unfortunate Yari could make such “a reckless statement despite his acclaimed vast religious knowledge. He is a clown who is fighting destiny.”
He said government would not fold its arms and “allow unscrupulous people to create confusion and anarchy in the state. I want to urge you all the good people of the state, to distance themselves from confused and greedy politicians who have no interest in the peace and tranquility of the state.”
“You are reported to have described me as not your mate in politics which is quite right because you know you are my former driver and I was one of your political mentors,” Matawalle further stated
He warned his predecessor to keep his distance from the PDP-led government in the state or face his political wrath. “You have been busy going round high places, painting my administration black because you are still not sensible enough to accept the will of Allah.”
Matawalle described the defection of the nine local government chairmen in the state from the APC to PDP as their personal choice because if he had wanted to force the chairmen to join his own party, he would have done that long ago.
“I have worked amicably with these chairmen for nine months now and still there are others who are yet to join my party. I call on any chairman to announce to the world if I forced him to join my party.”
Governor Matawalle called on all citizens in the state to distinguish between the chaff and the grain so that the much needed peace and progress of the state can be fully achieved and sustained.
