The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State due to the deepening political crisis and worsening security situation. The council expressed concern over the struggle for supremacy between two factions of the state’s House of Assembly and the governor’s perceived inaction.
The YYC noted that the security situation in Zamfara has deteriorated, with increased attacks by bandits resulting in killings and abductions. The council lamented that lawmakers are preoccupied with power tussles, further exacerbating the crisis.
The situation is further complicated by the existence of parallel Houses of Assembly, with one faction threatening to impeach Governor Dauda Lawal over allegations of worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and mass sacking of civil servants.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Eric Oluwole, the YYC expressed concern over the struggle for supremacy and legitimacy between two factions of the state’s House of Assembly, as well as the state Governor’s inaction.
The council noted that the security situation has deteriorated, with increased attacks by bandits resulting in killings and abductions, lamenting that meanwhile, legislators are preoccupied with power tussles.
The statement noted the parallel Houses of Assembly, with one faction threatening to impeach Governor Dauda Lawal over allegations of worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and mass sacking of civil servants.
The YYC warned that the crisis could degenerate further and called for a state of emergency to restore normalcy.
The statement reads: “We in the YYC are disturbed by the worsening crisis and state of unrest in Zamfara State, caused by the struggle for supremacy and legitimacy between the two factions of the state’s House of Assembly and the state Governor lawal refuse to do anything about it.
“More worrisome is the worsening security situation in the state, as attacks by bandits resulting in many killings and abductions, are on the rise, while legislators busy themselves in power tussle.
“For now, the two factions the two factions operate two parallel Houses of Assembly, each claiming supremacy, with one faction threatening to impeach Governor Dauda Lawal due to his lack of good governance, over allegations of worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and mass sacking of civil servants, among others.
“In fact, the faction comprising ten suspended lawmakers of the 24-member original House of Assembly, made of PDP and APC members, and led by its Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi 1 constituency), has given the Governor a one month ultimatum to redress the escalating insecurity, and reabsorb the sacked 4,000 civil servants or be impeached, threatening, ‘The governor must act swiftly or face consequences.’
“This faction has even taken the crisis to the national stage as the suspended lawmakers, in a protest in Abuja, faulted the actions of the other faction as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and their suspension as an assault on democracy.
“On the other hand, the other faction’s Speaker, Bilyaminu Moriki who described the Gummi-led faction, which sits outside the chambers, as ‘illegal’ and ‘unrecognised.’ and its actions as null and void, maintaining that it is the state’s only House of Assembly.
The YYC’s call for a state of emergency highlights the urgent need for federal intervention to restore peace and stability in Zamfara State. The situation demands attention and action to address the security challenges and political crisis gripping the state.
