A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has charged Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State to deliver democratic dividend, after the Supreme Court ruling that validated his electoral victory.
Shinkafi in a statement yesterday, specifically told the governor to put a to insecurity that has engulfed Zamfara State.
The former Deputy Chairman of Bello Mohammed Matawalle Zamfara State Governorship Campaign Committee encouraged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to be demoralized by the ruling but to remain focused and united in building the party ahead of the 2027 general election for continued service to the people of Zamfara State.
“The final Judgement of the apex court of the land provides the opportunity for him and all politicians irrespective of party affiliation to work in restoring security of lives and property in the state which was grossly affected by banditry, kidnapping of innocent people for ransom, cattle rustling, imposition of taxes and levies to villagers before cultivating and harvesting of their farm lands by the armed bandits, killings and displacement of citizens across the 14 Local Government Areas of the State.
“The ten months legal battles from Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal and finally terminating with the decision of the Supreme Court on 12th January 2023, is part of the democratic process that should be cherished and supported irrespective of the outcome as it has afforded all players the opportunity to seek legal redress through the courts as prescribed under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the electoral laws enacted by the National Assembly.
“The verdict of the Supreme Court is a terminal bus stop to litigations on Zamfara State Governorship Election dispute conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on 18th March 2023.
“This is the right time for progressive governance which Dauda Lawal should utilize to deliver to the people key elements of good governance which comprises of consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable and inclusive.
“He should rule the state with the fear of God and provide dividends of democracy to assuage the sufferings of the people.
“The Judiciary has done its duty according to the constitution and democratic practice which is binding on all parties that submitted themselves to it.
“I urge Governor Dauda Lawal to embrace all sections of the state in delivering good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.
“I commend the APC candidate, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Hon. Minister of State for Defence for his doggedness, maturity and resilience in the political journey that saw him going all the way from Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal to the apex court.
“The performance of the APC candidate and the exemplary conduct of the members of the party who fought doggedly within the confines of democratic tenets through the legal battles demonstrated their capacity to continue to put the interest of the people above personal interest.
“I urge all members of the APC family not to be demoralized but remain focused and United in building the party ahead of be the 2027 general election for continued service to the people of Zamfara State.
“I commend President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support to the APC family in Zamfara State and the nation at large as well as commitment to the growth of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.