A former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and ex-governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has strongly opposed recent calls for a state of emergency in Zamfara, insisting that the situation does not warrant such drastic measures.
Speaking on behalf of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), Shinkafi described the demand as “politically motivated, ill-conceived, unwarranted, unpatriotic and unconstitutional.” He alleged that a political cabal, which once held the state hostage, is behind the protests demanding emergency rule.
“It is a calculated attempt to destabilise the state, cause confusion and political upheavals, and undermine Governor Dauda Lawal’s efforts,” Shinkafi stated.
He stressed that the comparison between Zamfara and Rivers State—where a state of emergency was recently declared—is misplaced, adding that the conditions in Rivers are not applicable to Zamfara.
According to Shinkafi, the resurgence of banditry in the state is linked to the upcoming farming season, as criminal elements seek to exploit rural communities. However, he noted that security in Zamfara has seen marked improvement under the current administration, and many of the viral attack videos on social media are recycled footage from past incidents aimed at overheating the political climate.
Shinkafi also decried attempts by some opposition politicians to regain power through “the backdoor” after losing at the polls. He reminded them that Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) outlines the lawful process for removing a sitting governor, emphasizing that Zamfara is not in a state of war.
“The spate of terrorism, insurgency, and kidnapping is not peculiar to Zamfara. These issues predate the current administration,” he said.
While acknowledging the constitutional limits of state governors in deploying security forces, Shinkafi called for constitutional reform to empower governors with direct control over internal security.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the military high command to address the current security breach swiftly, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution which places the welfare and security of citizens as the core duty of government.
Shinkafi commended military personnel for their sacrifices and urged the Federal Government to further equip and motivate them in the fight against criminality.
He also advised Governor Lawal to convene an emergency security summit involving security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government chairmen, and civil society organisations. The goal, he said, should be to develop a coordinated strategy to enhance public safety and prevent further unrest, especially following recent tensions in Kaura Namoda.
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