Zamfara In Crisis: Tinubu Pressured to Delcare State of Emergency
A civic advocacy group known as the Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ) has made a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu, calling for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State. The group argues that governance has completely broken down and security issues are getting worse by the day.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, the group's president, Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako, portrayed a dire situation in Zamfara. He described it as a region quickly descending into chaos, where governmental structures have failed, and criminal gangs are flourishing due to official neglect. “What we are seeing is not governance at all. It’s a deliberate abandonment of duty by those who are supposed to lead,” Bako stated. “The citizens of Zamfara live in constant fear, forced to pay fees to armed groups just to get by, while public officials either turn a blind eye or are complicit in these acts.”
The NCAJ reported that various parts of the state, including towns like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka, and Bukkuyum, have effectively become lawless areas. Residents are compelled to pay protection money to bandits to access farmland, markets, or even move about. Schools have closed, markets stand empty, and entire communities are under the control of criminal factions, Bako claimed.
Furthermore, the NCAJ accused high-ranking political figures of benefiting from illegal mining activities, indicating that the profits from unregulated mineral extraction are being funneled into acquiring weapons for non-state actors. “Those who should be safeguarding Zamfara are instead profiting from its ruin,” Bako asserted.
One of the group's most alarming points revolves around the absence of a functioning legislature in the state. Bako highlighted that ten lawmakers were recently suspended for raising concerns about the security crisis, leaving Zamfara without a legitimate House of Assembly and the democratic mechanisms needed to hold the executive accountable. “What we’re witnessing is the real-time decline of democracy,” Bako noted. “Zamfara has turned into a dictatorship of silence. Voices of reason have been silenced, while crime thrives.”
The NCAJ underscored that without immediate federal action, the security situation in Zamfara could evolve into a lasting sanctuary for terror groups, posing risks on a national level. They urged President Tinubu to use his constitutional authority to impose emergency rule and appoint a neutral administrator to restore order and governance in the state. “This isn’t the time for empty talk. Lives are at stake every day. Institutions are falling apart. If the federal government does not act now, we may lose Zamfara to chaos forever,” the statement warned.
To support their demands, the group announced plans to submit a comprehensive report to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser in the coming days. This document will outline proof of the alleged involvement of state actors and stress the urgent need for federal intervention.
As the crisis escalates, citizens and civil society groups across Nigeria will be closely observing how the presidency addresses what many perceive as one of the most significant governance failures in recent Nigerian history.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0