Zamfara: Fallout Of Matawalle’s Defection: Assembly Summons Deputy Governor

By Ayodele Oni

The ongoing political melodrama unfolding in Zamfara State following the defection of Governor Matawalle to the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) may consume the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.

Despite support from his party, the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and assurance that he is the face of PDP in the State, the Deputy Governor is currently facing attacks from various State organs.

There was an attempt by Governor Matawalle early in the week to use security agents to stop a rally he organized to garner support for the PDP.

And Wednesday, the State House of Assembly in its plenary, passed a resolution to invite the Deputy Governor to appear before the House on Tuesday 27th July 2021.

He is being summoned over a political rally he held last Saturday, amidst cases of banditry attacks on communities during the same period under review.

The resolution to invite Aliyu Gusau was reached following a motion raised by Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma, representing Maru North under matters of urgent public importance of the House.

Kanoma, condemned the timing of the rally, coming up barely less than 24 hours after massive reprisal attacks by bandits on Faru communities in Maradun local government area of the state.

A statement by the Director of Press in the Assembly, Mustapha Kaura, stated that Kanoma further opined that while the State was in a mourning mood over the killings of more than 56 innocent people, the State Deputy governor did not sympatthize with the victims.

Worst still, according to Kanoma, was the utterances of the Deputy Governor in the interview he granted to the press during the said rally where abusive words were said to have been made by the number two citizen of the state.

The lawmaker commended the state police command for  ensuring law and order during the rally.

Other Lawmakers that contributed agreed that the Deputy Governor should be invited, with the House leader, Mr Faruk Dosara, advising that every action of the Assembly must be in conformity with the law.

He added that while inviting the Deputy Governor, similar invitation should be sent to the Commissioner of police Hussaini Rabi’u to also appear before the House to explain whether the Deputy Governor obtained permission from the Command or not, and to also explain to the House the role of Police authority during the rally.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Nasiru Magarya later announced that through voice vote by members, it was resolved that the Deputy Governor and the State Commissioner of Police should appear before the House on Tuesday 27th July.