For the interventions of highly respected organisations and individuals, Governor Bello Muhammed of Zamfara state has said he would not take legal action against the Acting National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, for alleged libellous comments against him and the government of Zamfara state.
At a press conference in Abuja Tuesday, Matawelalle said his decision to suspend the legal action is pending the decision and action to be taken by the APC as disciplinary measures against Yekini for the unsubstantiated allegations.
The APC Ag. National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena had on 17th of December, 2020, alleged that Gov Matawelalle and his government, were harbouring, sponsoring and aiding banditry in the north western Nigeria.
The governor noted that these allegations were “so weighty and cannot be swept under the carpet, especially considering the fact that it concerns human lives and humanity and his dignity.”
The governor said since he assumes office as governor of the state, he had rescued more than 2,000 kidnapped victims from their abductors. I collected over a thousand weapons from both the bandits and the members of the vigilante groups operating in the state.
He stated, “Ever since I assumed power as the executive governor of Zamfara state, my priority was on how to secure Zamfara state from its immediate past position of being “the most dangerous state to visit or leave ” due to the waves of attacks, killings, maiming, kidnappings, cattle rustling and vandalisation of public property and assets that bedevilled the state.”
The governor went ahead to explain the situation before and after he took over the reins of leadership in the state.
“Before I came on board as the Executive Governor of Zamfara state, over 7 Thousands people were killed in such crisis and a dozen of hundreds others were kidnapped by bandits within the 8 years of my predecessor.
“Records have also shown that almost a million cattle and related animals were rustled by bandits in the state. Property and farm produce worth billions of naira belonging to innocent citizens were either destroyed, vandalised or carted away by these criminals.
“All these calamities and catastrophic consequences occurred in the hands of APC government that ruled Zamfara state for almost a decade.
“However, between May 29th, 2019 when I took over the leadership of the state to date, I rescued more than 2,000 kidnapped victims from their abductors. I collected over a thousand weapons from both the bandits and the members of the vigilante groups operating in the state.
“It is also worth noting here that, for almost two years of my administration now, Zamfara state has not recorded such number of deaths, as was the case before my administration when hundreds of innocent people were been massacred almost on daily basis.
“You may recall the several days when over 50, 100, 200 or more persons were reported killed in single days when APC was ruling the state.
“Today, I can confidently tell you that the story has dramatically changed for the better. Ever since the coming of the PDP government under my watch in the state, there has been Sanity to some extent as people now have the courage to carry out their legitimate businesses, including farming.
“It is worthy of noting that bandits attacks in the state are now brought down to its barest minimum. Within the last one and a half years of my government we encountered only few attacks by bandits with few casualties.
“This is in addition to my efforts in the ongoing peace process which is complementing the Nigerian military campaigns against recalcitrant bandits who vehemently refused to embrace the peace pact my government initiated based on the advice of Mr President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the President and Commander in chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Let me also categorically state here that, my efforts in the peace process have yieded positive results and brought a lot of relief to the people of Zamfara state and indeed the entire north western Nigeria as a whole.
“The hitherto killings, attacks, vandalism, destruction of lives and public assets have now been drastically reduced to their lowest. Our main challenge today is kidnapping which occurs elliptically and my government is working hard to bring to an end, this menace in my state through the dialogue.
“My government is working hand in hand with the Nigerian Military, Miyatti Allah officials and the repentant bandits to bring peace and stability in my state.
“You may recall that the immediate past governor of the state said at one time that he resigned his position of the Chief Security of the state due to his inability to handle the situation, which is a slap in the face of the APC and indeed, the President of Nigeria.
“In view of the foregoing, it is therefore irresponsible of anybody to accuse me and my government of harbouring and aiding banditry in the country.
“The basic function of government anywhere is to provide security and safety of lives of the governed.
“Therefore, the only way forward for my administration is to initiate the process of dialogue and peace pact with a view to understanding the grudges of the bandits and how to go about solving the problems, to bring lasting peace and security to my people.
“There is no development anywhere without peace and stability. I am therefore doing everything humanly possible to bring peace, security and safety of lives of my people, as I swore to protect them.
My hard earned reputation and integrity can not be compromised.
“In order to prove Yekini Nabena wrong therefore, as well as to let Nigerians and indeed, the whole world know that he wanted to use the occasion to deceive and mislead the teeming people without the knowledge of what is happening in the state in particular and the region in general, I intended to take the matter to court, but for the interventions of these highly respected organisations and individuals, pending their actions against the scribe.
He said the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Progressives Governors’ Forum were “satisfied with what I am doing to bring peace in my state and the region, and are all solidly behind me in my efforts to tackle banditry in the region.”
