A pro-democracy group, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing political instability and economic sabotage allegedly caused by Governor Dauda Lawal’s actions against the State House of Assembly.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the group’s convener, Ibrahim Yakubu, accused Governor Lawal of plunging the state into “anarchy and instability” through his handling of legislative matters.
Yakubu condemned what he described as “anti-democratic actions,” particularly the suspension of 10 members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly for over a year for raising concerns about the state’s deteriorating security situation.
He argued that the governor’s actions had effectively crippled legislative functions in the state, denying residents proper representation.
The CDD also alleged that the governor was acting with authoritarian tendencies, pointing to his directive to suspend eight lawmakers who criticized the worsening insecurity in the state.
The group labelled the move as an “abuse of power and a direct attack on democracy.”
The coalition ALSO accused the state government of complicity in illegal mining activities, which it claimed had led to the unchecked exploitation of Zamfara’s gold reserves.
“In light of these grave violations, it is time for President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action before the situation spirals out of control,” the group’s statement read.
“A six-month emergency period is necessary to restore order, dismantle the networks of political and economic exploitation, and pave the way for a return to democratic governance.
“This is not a call made lightly; it is a demand born out of necessity. The current trajectory threatens not just Zamfara, but the stability of the entire country,” the group added.
The group urged President Tinubu to deploy all necessary resources to address the crisis, secure state assets, and hold those responsible accountable.
“The time for half-measures and empty promises is over. Strong and swift action is required to protect the lives and livelihoods of Zamfara’s people,” the group added.
The CDD also criticized Governor Lawal’s administration, describing it as “a relentless assault on democracy, a blatant disregard for the rule of law, and a shocking indifference to the suffering of the people he was elected to serve.”
