What is your view on the controversial primaries of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and fielding of the party’s candidates for the 2019 elections in the state?
Alhamdulillah, you are a journalist. As far as we are concerned, APC in Zamfara State has fulfilled all the electoral guidelines. Our candidates were elected democratically. Our party had fielded candidates for the various positions ahead of 2019 general elections. We have not violated any part of the Electoral Act as contained in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule of primary elections. We conducted our primary elections, free and fair and as at when due.
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Given your claim, what then informed the cancellation of the APC primaries in the state by the national electoral body?
On the issue of cancelling our primary elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is now topic of discussion all over, as I am talking to you, there was no letter to that effect. We have not received any letter from our great party, APC, with regard to rumour that is going round.
What is the government doing on the escalating issue of political thuggery in the state?
Let me tell you the fact: The governor of Zamfara State and chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, has cautioned supporters of APC and all law-abiding citizens of the state to desist from any form of violence fuelled by unlawful associations and individuals. Any law-abiding citizen needs to respect the peaceful atmosphere concerning politics in the state. The present administration has done a lot to stop loyalists and all youths, especially supporters of APC, not to engage in any activity that would endanger the political atmosphere.
Governor Yari met an ugly trend where thugs construct zinc shades as hiding place to perpetuate social vices across the state. However, at the inception of his administration, the governor immediately ordered the destruction of all the shades and advised youths to desist from making such constructions.
The governor then directed all party loyalists, especially youth leaders, to enlighten the electorate and supporters at the grassroots level on the benefits of peace in relations to all political associations and gatherings.
What do you make of Senator Kabiru Marafa as one of the governorship contenders?
Being a good friend of Senator Kabiru Marafa, I have nothing but pity for him: He played wrong politics and he is trying to draw a curtain on his political career. This is because Zamfara State is APC and APC is Zamfara. Although the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees him freedom of association and aspiration, but I can’t see him winning election in the state outside our party, the APC family. Our people are very much knowledgeable to understand that he represents Zamfara Central Senatorial District at the Senate but he has taken his joke too far.
What is your reaction to the criticisms trailing the performance of Governor Yari?
My heart always bleeds when those who do not mean well to Governor Abdul Aziz Yari describe him as a non-performing governor. People should come to Zamfara and visit all the 14 local government areas. They would see how Yari’s administration has turned all the council areas into a promised land. He provided road networks to beautify the local government areas. Qualitative drainages were constructed; there were modern schools; electrification of villages and towns; hospitals and rural water were all provided during Governor Yari’s administration in the state. We believe that any responsible government has a prime responsibility to make an appreciable impact on the lives of people through by implementing programmes and policies that would turn round the lives of the people for the better and leave behind a good legacy. This is what Governor Abdul Aziz Yari had committed his administration to.
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