3rd August, 2024
By Ishaq Zaki
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took advantage on the ongoing nationwide protests to sponsor attacks against some on its prominent members in Zamfara State.
APC at a press conference in Gusau on Friday said the alleged PDP thugs attacked the residence of the former Governor of the state and the incumbent Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The press conference was addressed by Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris.
Idris also alleged that the PDP thugs also attacked the residence of Sen. Sahabi Ya’u at his hometown of Kaura Namoda, where valuable items were destroyed including a Toyota Hilux van.
Idris said, “We have earlier forecast the possibility of hijacking of the protests by hoodlums and other miscreants in the state.
“We commend the proactive action of the security agencies in the state for their quick intervention.
“We urge them to do more and immediately arrest the culprits who infiltrated the peaceful protests.
“The Zamfara APC chapter is disturbed by the dimension of the nationwide protests, which are supposed to be peaceful.
“We have observed that many PDP thugs were strategically deployed to attack and maim personalities as well as destroy properties of the APC.”
He called on Gov Dauda Lawal to call the PDP members to order for peace to reign in the state.
“We wish to implore the security agencies in the state to give our members and all well-meaning citizens the desired protection of lives and property,” Idris said.
Responding, the State PDP acting Chairman, Alhaji Mukhtar Lugga, described the allegations as ‘unfortunate.’
Lugga, who is the Chief of Staff to Lawal, lamented why the Zamfara APC chapter always came up with baseless allegations to attack the current administration.
He said, “This is very unfortunate, It is very sad for the APC leadership in the state to relate the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance with politics.
“I wonder why the APC leaders in Zamfara always politicise issues related to the development of the state and Nigeria.”
Lugga added that the PDP has been a peace loving party since the inception of Lawal’s administration.
“You know, we don’t want to join issues with the APC, we are on governance now, we are focusing on the development of our dear state,” he explained.
Lugga had earlier claimed the nationwide protests by some groups did take place in Zamfara because of Gov Dauda Lawal’s good governance.
“Zamfara residents are happy with the state administration; they are happy that much is being achieved.
“Government has initiated many programmes and policies that have been beneficial. It has declared a state of emergency on education and health. It has also paid a backlog of gratuities.
“The administration has also constructed, or reconstructed, roads. It has renovated and equipped schools and hospitals and intervened in agricultural businesses, among others,” he said.
He agreed that there was hardship in the land, but expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s efforts would address the socioeconomic challenges of the country.
‘’In addition to what the state government is doing, we will continue to pray for the president to succeed in fixing the country’s economy.
‘’Hardship is everywhere, but all tiers of government are taking necessary measures to tackle the situation,’’ he said.
Lugga urged the people to continue to be law-abiding and pray for leaders to succeed in overcoming challenges affecting the country.
Gusau and other towns in the state have been quiet with no one showing up for the demonstration on Friday, the second day of the activity that is expected to continue till Aug. 10.
