Dr. Dauda Lawal, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) nominee for governor of Zamfara State in the upcoming general election in 2023, has denounced an alleged state government-sponsored onslaught on party members.
The act, according to him, was the height of brigandry, lawlessness, and provocation that may have heightened tension in the State.
Lawal emphasized that he and his party were attacked by armed thugs on Friday night when they entered Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, in a statement released by the Dauda Lawal Media Centre in Gusau on Saturday.
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We are in a crucial period, it said in parts. We regrettably found ourselves in this predicament. The APC and the state government have revived thuggery and hooliganism, which was supposed to be a thing of the past in the state. It
“The Peoples’ Democratic Party has a reputation for upholding the law; we are a party that adheres completely to and upholds state law. Because of this, we held off on planning any political events in Zamfara State until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the prohibition on the governorship campaign.
“Today, October 15, has been set aside by the PDP to accept thousands of APC defectors and to launch the 2023 governorship Campaign Council.”
On the route to Gusau, thugs supported by the APC and the state governor attacked our group. During the incident, many of our vehicles were burned and broken.
“Today, the PDP gubernatorial candidate’s home was invaded by thugs led by one Aliyu Alhazai Shinkafi, a former leader of the Zamfara Anti-thuggery committee and Commandant of the Zamfara Road Traffic Agency (ZAROTA). Thugs commanded by Alhazai blocked the entrance to Lawal’s home and the attack’s target by barricading the road. Our campaign buses were plundered and vandalized during the latest unwarranted attack.
“We are aware that the APC and the Matawalle-led administration plan to illegitimately use force to halt our campaigning in Zamfara. The state is once again experiencing the rioting for which we were not praying. Concern is raised by the situation.
“The people of Zamfara were tired of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle’s management style. The widespread support and popularity Dr. Dauda Lawal, the PDP’s nominee for governor, attracted is one of the reasons the APC and the governor were concerned. They therefore turned to violence.
“We are requesting intervention from the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Service, and all pertinent security to stop the APC and Governor Matawalle from using the state apparatus and thugs to illegally attack our campaign activities.
“Governor Matawalle is attempting to restrict the Peoples Democratic Party’s and its gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal, electioneering activities.
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The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, revealed in an exclusive interview with one of the National Dailies last Wednesday that the Commission is in agreement with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election campaign by political parties as provided in Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022. Therefore, the INEC issued a warning to state governments not to interfere with other political parties’ efforts to conduct campaigns there.
