Coalition of Northern youth groups have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps in addressing the resurgent banditry in Zamfara state and environ, by calling immediate past governor, Abdul’aziz Yari to order.
The youth coalition, under the aegis of Northern Nigeria Youth Frontier, commended Governor Bello Mutawalle for his peace initiatives and measures taken to return peace to the state, but blamed Yari and his supporters for sabotaging the state and Federal Government efforts by causing the resurgence of banditry in the area.
A statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr. Abubakar Salisu Taruni, and Secretary Hon. Sirajo Habib Tsafe, said, “Northern Nigerian Youths Frontiers after its annual meeting on 26th-27th November, 2019 in Kaduna deliberated on developmental issues in Nigeria and insecurity challenging parts of the region, particularly recent political tension cum security threats in Zamfara state between Governor Bello Mutawalle and former governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
“The following decisions were taken: We unequivocally commend Dr Bello Mohammed Matawallen Maradun, Governor of Zamfara state over his genuine commitment and determination of implementing peace dialogue with suspected bandits and collaborative efforts in handling insecurity issue which is currently yielding positive results as banditry has ceased in the state.
“The Northern Youths are solidly behind him over his efforts of redeeming the state from terror into new leaf of peace, unity and political cohesion among all the segment of life in the state. We urged him to extend thefrontiers of peace and brotherliness to all other states bordering Zamfara towards ensuring the sustainable peace, security and freedom of movement.”
The coalition, which composed of Northern Nigerian Frontiers, Assembly of Nigerian Youths, Youths Initiative Group of Nigeria and Arewa Progressive Forum, “condemn in strong terms the attitude of former Zamfara state governor, Alhaji Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar and his supporters for their continued confrontational acts and sabotaging the ongoing peace efforts and reconciliation initiative of the Zamfara state government with bandits.
“We urge President Buhari to call Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar to order as a means of ensuring that the current security being enjoyed in Zamfara state is not breached. Yari destroyed almost all the sectors of development in his eight years rule due to poor governance, yet he was still trying to become a stumbling block of peace in the region.”
The youth urged President Buhari to warn “former governor Abdul’aziz Yari and his acolytes over their alleged plans to disrupt peace and political cohesion enjoyed in the state by creating political instability that will bring back enmity and hatred among political class of the state in the name of opposition. Such acts will only return the young state into another chaos and unleash terror among the people.
“We commend the stand of Zamfara State House of Assembly of repealing the controversial pension bill of political office holders. However, we urged them to organize a public hearing to investigate atrocities including looting of state treasury allegedly committed by immediate past administration of Abdul’aziz Yari in the state.”
The coalition urged President Buhari to honour the Zamfara state governor and others who sacrificed their lives and energy to return peace back to the state, while calling on the Federal Government to take urgent measures in increasing the pace of work and ensuring more order on the ongoing rehabilitation of Kaduna – Zaria – Kano expressway to reduce rate of fatal accidents and unnecessary holdups faced by motorists and passengers plying the road.
