The All Progressives Grant Alliance (APGA) in Zamfara has commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government for restoring peace in the state.
The APGA governorship candidate at the 2019 general elections, Dr Sani Shinkafi, made the commendation at a news conference in Gusau on Saturday.
Shinkafi noted that the PDP-led government deserve commendation in its one-year of administration considering the way it tackled the terrible security challenge that bedevilled the state.
”Gov. Bello Matawalle embarked on confronting the menace with great valour using his versatile experience as former Chairman, House Committee on Security and Intelligence.
“The State Government also embarked on partnership with the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari and various key security stakeholders such as security outfits, former defence ministers, traditional leaders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) leaders and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
“After various consultation, a fact stands out that the crisis has taken ethnic dimensions, most especially after the creation of Hausa Yan Sakai vigilante groups by the immediate past administration.“Establishment of committee headed by the former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar, for finding solutions to end banditry in the state by the state government can be identified as a leading factor for the success recorded,” Shinkafi said.
He recalled that before PDP took over the affairs of the state, rural areas and nomadic settlements were relegated educationally and economically, and this situation created an avenue for high crime rate.
“This informs government’s decision to provide schools, clinics and earth dams for the people and idea of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) came up as one of the solutions to the problem.
“The dialogue resulted in the release of thousands of captives abducted by kidnappers across the state, including the neighbouring ones.
“With this development, socio-economic education activities across the 14 local government areas of the state have been revived.
“Our rural markets closed down earlier due to insecurity have also been reopened, inter-ethnic relationship improved and over 80 per cent peace restored across the state,” he said.
The former APGA national secretary and governorship candidate explained that the opposition party was partnering with the PDP-led administration for the progress of the state.
He therefore urged people to continue to cooperate with the present administration irrespective of political differences for the state to move forward. (NAN)
