There is a Hausa saying which encapsulates the essence of true peace of mind, “zama lafiya, ya fi zama dan sarki”, which literally translates as “a pauper in peace is happier than a troubled Prince”. This is the visionary focus of Bello Muhammad Matawalle’s people’s oriented government in Zamfara state.
It is in line with this very simple and basic approach that the President of the Federal Republic, Muhammadu Buhari always tries to draw the Governor very close to him and his administration, irrespective of political differences. Buhari no doubt, means good for Nigeria. As well, Matawalle truly means good for the people of Zamfara state on that equal count.
Yes, it was Buhari who dwarfed the terror of Boko Haram in the North East and, equally it was Matawalle who liberated Zamfara state from the shackles of banditry and terror. Hence, it was not a coincidence that Matawalle has become central to the peace pursuit and accord in Nigeria. It is in the same vein that the President enrolled him on his team to Sochi, Russia, last week to attend the Russia-Africa summit.
While in Russia, the President of that country, Vladmir Putin made a startling revelation that no fewer than 2000 defeated ISIS members fled the Middle East last year and joined Boko Haram here in West Africa in the name of ISWAP. This is a very disturbing revelation despite the fact that we are aware of their accord since 2015 to terrorise the countries of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and the Cameroon.
But certainly, the two leaders will not rest on their oars in terms of pursuit for peace and tranquility in their respective constituencies and even beyond. Buhari went all out to woo the cooperation of Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Tchad to end Boko Haram. Similarly, Matawalle went all out to solicit the cooperation of the Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states to end banditry in the zone. He, in fact, moved a notch further to include Maradi province in the Niger republic.
It is however, gladdening that the two leaders had the assurance of Mr Putin to partner with them in ending the menace of Boko Haram in the entire West African territory. The state of Zamfara has everything to worry about the menace of Boko Haram, a threat so much revealed recently by Governor Matawalle emanating from reliable security report.
For those who are yet to understand the import of the Sochi summit, this is one of them. The unalienable fact remains that Matawalle will continue to partner with the Federal Government on this count until a lasting peace and harmony is attained in Zamfara state and its neighbours.
Zailani Bappa is the Media Aide to Zamfara Governor
