Recently, in Zamfara state, I have seen what could better be described as chasing shadows, ostensibly, in self-defence by the immediate-past governor and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Matawalle and his co-travellers had during their reign allegedly rocked the Zamfara economy by aiding and abetting bandits to pillage the solid mineral endowment of the state.
Some weeks ago, these “bad belle” detractors launched needless and reckless attacks on the character and reputation of Dr Dauda Lawal, the incumbent governor whom Zamfara voters overwhelmingly accepted while rejecting Matawalle’s re-election bid. Why wouldn’t Matawalle’s return bid fail when he seemingly failed to deliver on promises while his tenure lasted.
During the four-year term of the junior minister, nothing seemed to have worked and Zamfara state was on the pages of newspapers for the wrong reasons; it made headlines because of the nefarious activities of bandits. Physical infrastructure, indices of development and welfare of citizens were nothing to write home about.
Matawalle’s rejection at the polls was a blessing and the wisest decision the people of Zamfara have ever made. They now have a man with the Midas touch in Governor Dauda. He is systematically clipping the wings of the bandits. He is the solution and the headway for the Zamfara rescue.
The voters’ rejection of Matawalle and the acceptance of Dr Dauda are boldfaced realities that Matawalle and co are yet to come to terms with. Matawalle’s sponsorship of syndicated media attacks on Governor Dauda is nothing but accumulated grievances and envy arising from Dauda booting him out of power.
His resort to throw tantrums because of his poor records in the gubernatorial saddle, which are being unveiled, is making him sorely afraid. He uses the media space (mainstream and the social variant) in defence of his inept government. Unfortunately, all they professed in the media against Dauda are mere conjectures, half-truths, and tainted opinions from the opposition.
There has been no objective analysis of the government which is less than a year in office. Critics of the governor may be lost in a desert and just going in circle without an oasis in sight, it is a mirage, trying to pull Governor Dauda down. All the same, thanks to all critics, their uncoordinated attacks are nothing but gasoline in the flame of the incumbent.
An Hausa adage says, “Hassada ga mai rabo taki che,” meaning a good man’s enemies are his propellers to greatness. This is what I see of Governor Dauda and his organised enemies. I see Governor Dauda’s enemies to have embarked on a political journey of no return. They are on endless errands, more of fetching water with a basket to water the ground.
The prowling of the media space by Matawalle’s lackeys and loyalists was pre-planned as a condition precedent to muddying the dirty waters because of the current position he occupies as one of the country’s security stakeholders.
My honest advice is that those beating the drum of war in Zamfara should desist because the spiller of blood will soon see the wrath of God. No wicked soul shall go unpunished. The soul that sins shall certainly perish because the blood of the innocent is crying daily for vengeance.
Finally, the Honourable Minister State should use his good offices to usher in peace, not only in Zamfara but also the whole of Nigeria. I pray Matawalle understands that it’s Dauda’s time; God has willed it and his rejection was equally the will of God.
Mr Garba FICM, FBMC, SPSP writes from Abuja via 08030525759, 08172570959, and [email protected]
