Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has said Northern elites have no vision for the region beyond gaining political power.
“We have all seen how the elites in the South-East and South-West respond in unison to all matters concerning their regional development.”
He added: “We have seen how they have a defined agenda and are relentless in the pursuit of their regional development.”
He made his views known at the annual conference of the Arewa Media Writers held in Kaduna, on Sunday.
Taking a cursory look at the security challenges facing the region he noted that the fight against banditry in the North will remain unless the elites in the region are united like their southern counterparts.
He lamented that the destruction banditry is wrecking on the region’s people and economy are unfathomable but was quick to add, “the security challenges have the potential to swallow the region and the country.”
Represented by a commissioner designate, Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle identified three factors that had made peace elusive in the region.
He said: “My experience over the past two years has shown that the major challenges to our peace efforts are:
“One, the reluctance of the affected states to embrace peace dialogue which should have deprived the recalcitrant bandits currently tormenting our people of safe corridors in the region.
“Secondly, lack of support from a section of politicians that wish to take advantage of the situation to achieve political ends.
“Lastly, the need for the Federal Government to key into the peace initiative so that appropriate resources can be allocated, make it more comprehensive, such as ex-bandits being rehabilitated in the same way that ex – Niger Delta militants were treated.”
According to him, “this is a siren appeal to leaders of the region to wake up from their lethargy and united in combating this challenge.”
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