Zamfara In Turmoil: PDP Protests Lawal’s Governance, Praises Matawalle As Federal Lawmaker Defects To APC

Talata Mafara, Zamfara State:  A wave of discontent is sweeping through Zamfara State, as simmering tensions between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) escalate.

On Monday, a massive protest erupted in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, with PDP members voicing their frustration over what they perceive as the disastrous governance of Governor Dauda Lawal.

The protest, which saw hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets, centred around a litany of grievances.

The protesters, led by PDP local leader Muhammad Ibrahim Talatar Marafa, condemned the governor for neglecting the welfare of the people, accusing him of prioritising personal luxury over the needs of his constituents.

“We are tired of Governor Dauda’s policies,” Ibrahim declared, “The people are suffering; hunger is rampant and has worsened.

During the protest, participants expressed longing for the tenure of former Governor Bello Matawalle, whom they described as more responsive to the people’s needs.

“We miss former Governor Matawalle,” Ibrahim remarked, as fellow demonstrators echoed their agreement. “At least he cared for the people. We’re calling on him to run in the next election, and we will vote for him.”

Led by PDP local leader Muhammad Ibrahim Talatar Marafa, the protesters assembled at the local government headquarters, voicing their displeasure with the administration.

Meanwhile, the governor lives a lavish lifestyle, ignoring the plight of the ordinary citizen.”

The protesters further decried the governor’s alleged interference in the PDP’s internal affairs, specifically his imposition of candidates in the recent local elections.

This blatant disregard for democratic values, they argued, has undermined the people’s right to choose their representatives.

“This is not democracy,” Ibrahim asserted, “The people’s choice was disregarded.

“It feels as though Dauda is only interested in furthering his agenda, not addressing the needs of Zamfara.”

Beyond the political sphere, the protesters also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state.

They lamented the continued threat posed by bandit attacks, which have left many residents living in fear.

“The hunger situation here has gotten worse, and there seems to be no solution in sight,” one protester lamented. “People here are hungry.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gummi, a Federal House of Representatives member for Gummi/Bukkuyum Constituency, has dramatically switched allegiance, abandoning the PDP for the APC.

His departure is widely seen as a direct consequence of the mounting dissatisfaction with Governor Lawal’s leadership and could further erode the PDP’s support base in the state.

Political analysts speculate that the growing discontent and the recent defection could spell doom for the PDP in Zamfara.

They argue that the party is facing a growing crisis of confidence, with Governor Lawal’s unpopular policies fueling a sense of disillusionment among its rank and file.

This latest development has undoubtedly thrown Zamfara into a political maelstrom.

The coming months will be crucial, as the PDP seeks to navigate this turbulent period and the APC looks to capitalize on the growing instability within its rival.

One thing is certain:  the political landscape in Zamfara is poised for a dramatic shift, with the implications for the state’s future remaining unclear.