Politics
PRESIDENT BUHARI’S NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE SCAM OF ZAMFARA STATE VISIT
*PRESIDENT BUHARI’S NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE SCAM OF ZAMFARA STATE VISIT By Ibrahim Madugu
President Muhammadu Buhari was to visit Zamfara State last Thursday but the trip was cancelled on the grounds of bad weather. The purpose of the trip from official declarations was to condole the people of Zamfara State on the deaths caused by the bandits; but the grand purpose according to observers was for the state government to use the good reputation of the President through the visit to mend the ugly images of bad governance in the state including the strong allegations of aiding banditry. On learning about cancelling the trip, the social media space and public fora around Gusau and major cities in Zamfara State was filled with jubilation and joy as many did not understand the purpose of the visit beyond its broad day light political scam.
One of the leading commentators and Chairman of a prominent civil society group asked a representative question in a social media post “what was the president coming to do in Zamfara…was he planning to meet the representative of the IDPs, for example?”. Another academic and prominent commentator wrote “thank you PMB for postponing the visit. This will save the image of the government and the good people of the state… there is virtually nothing to be commissioned by the President”.
On the other hand, cancelling the trip was a big disappointment for Governor Matawalle and his supporting minions because of the near zero goodwill they enjoy from the wider public. One of the members of Zamfara State Assembly loyal to the Governor wrote an emotional
comment in response to the cancelled trip in Hausa that reads “May God disappoint all those who want to see us disappointed”, On his part, the Governor organized an elaborate press conference to explain the reason for cancelling the trip submitting that it was the will of God. Mr. Matawalle was quoted by the Punch Newspaper lamenting “As man proposes, God disposes. I am sadly announcing that President Muhammadu Buhari has postponed his condolence visit to Zamfara due to the sharp drop in weather conditions”. One insightful person asked, if this is truly a condolence visit, why all the effort to raise hundreds of billboards in the state capital? Is it to mock the dead persons? Ideally, a condolence visit should be low key; but that of Zamfara was done with huge amount of money spent out of the meagre resources of the state to raise bill boards and use same money explain why the trip did not happen to the media.
After President Buhari’s return to Abuja, a recorded broadcast was made by the President in both English and Hausa to apologise to the people of Zamfara State for his inability to conduct the visit. The one minute thirty seconds scripted speech revealed how much pressure was mounted on the presidency to save the face of Zamfara State Government. In a sane world, a brief impromptu session with the media from Sokoto or at arrival in Abuja by the President could have been more natural response; others feel a statement from the President’s media aids as it happens in even more important situations than cancelling a trip could have been apt. One analyst said that the speech was a useful clue to the suspicion that the Governor of Zamfara was scammed by the most talked about merchants of the presidency who collect millions of money behind the President’s stern eyes and make promises and assurances. He believed that same people must have been given more money or have received enough to drag the President into making the exaggerated address that does not tally with his known ways in recent past.
President Buhari needs to give credence assumptions like the one earlier and watch his close aides especially as 2023 draws nearer. In fact, President Buhari should actually do more vigilance as someone like the Governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, who has serious allegations of corruption and wrong doing are desperately frequenting the Presidency to return to power with the support of another scammer in the person of former Governor Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura. Two prominent allegations that President Buhari should know about Matawalle to be on his guard are the forgery of certificates of landed properties in Abuja and being a top beneficiary of the misappropriation of armed funds of the past government. As a Governor, Matawalle has been known to be collaborating with the bandits and supporting their action through the agency of the failed amnesty he created hoping to use them as the last option to win election. One of the strong indicators to this are the recent arrest of the supplier of arms and food to the bandits by name Musa Kamarawa who was confirmed to be a political appointee of the Governor Matawalle. Presently, a prominent Islamic Scholar in Sokoto State by name Malam Murtala Assada attributed the escalation of banditry in northwest to the complicity of Governor Matawalle and challenged the Governor to counter the claim. The scholar argued that Governor Matawalle joined the APC to cover his crime of aiding bandits because he knew that joining the ruling party guarantees ‘forgiving all sins’.
On behalf of the people of Zamfara, we have every reason to celebrate the cancellation of President Buhari’s trip to the state. The good people of Zamfara do not deserve such scorning from President Buhari whose loyal supporters they have remained in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 against antics like Governor Matawalle who left no stone unturned in opposition to the president during his famous political struggles. If it is the work of the weather, it must be God’s way of answering the prayers of the good people of Zamfara and a way of protecting the good image of President Muhammadu Buhari from the scam of Governor Matawalle and his co-travellers.
*Ibrahim Madugu Writes from Gusau Zamfara State.*
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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