The Northern Democratic Movement (NDM), on Wednesday, rejected the recent call by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and its leader, Yerima Shettima, for a state of emergency in Zamfara State, describing it as inflammatory, baseless, and an act of political desperation.
The NDM alleged that Shettima is being used as a proxy by a former Zamfara governor who “depleted the state’s resources” and failed to address insecurity during his tenure.
In a statement, the NDM Convener, Ibrahim Sule Sarki, accused Shettima of seeking political relevance through reckless commentary rather than genuine engagement with the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
Sarki NDM called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to ignore Shettima’s “antics” and instead focus on strengthening support for Governor Dare’s administration and the security architecture in Zamfara State.
He said: “The NDM notes with dismay that Yerima Shettima, a self-appointed ‘leader’ whose only connection to Northern Nigeria is his occasional incendiary press releases, has once again chosen to milk a former Zamfara governor through dubious means to promote his narrative.
“While genuine Northern leaders are on the ground collaborating with communities and security agencies to address insecurity, Shettima issues reckless statements from the comfort of Lagos, a city far removed from the realities of Northwestern Nigeria, thanks to the chicken change he receives from a low-ranking minister.
“Shettima’s AYCF lacks any meaningful structure, membership, or credibility in Northern Nigeria as it exists only as a platform for him to audition for patronage from political godfathers. His call for a state of emergency is a deliberate attempt to undermine the constitutional authority of Zamfara State’s democratically elected government and sow chaos for personal relevance.
“The NDM suspects that a former governor who depleted Zamfara’s resources and failed to provide security and infrastructure has now resorted to using Shettima to distract the incumbent governor, who is committed to restoring peace in Zamfara.
“The NDM categorically condemns the call for an emergency as a dangerous overreach that would destabilise Zamfara and set a harmful precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.”
The group challenged Shettima to publicly disclose when he last visited Zamfara or engaged with affected communities.
Sarki also questioned the AYCF’s contributions to peacebuilding, accusing Shettima of turning a blind eye to corrupt federal actors and external sponsors of banditry.
He added, “Shettima’s hypocrisy is glaring. While he pontificates on Zamfara’s security, he has never condemned the role of corrupt federal actors, illegal arms traffickers, or external sponsors of banditry. His sudden “concern” for Zamfara reeks of a paid agenda to scapegoat Governor Dare and destabilise the state for his benefactor, who has woefully failed to govern the state rightly when he held sway.
“The NDM added that the state will no longer tolerate charlatans who weaponise our people’s pain for fame. Yerima Shettima represents nobody but himself.
True Northerners are working quietly to rebuild our region, not chasing headlines in Lagos. Zamfara’s government deserves support, not sabotage.
“The NDM stands in solidarity with the people and government of Zamfara. We reaffirm our confidence in Governor Dare’s commitment to peace and call on all Nigerians to reject fear-mongering by political jobbers like Yerima Shettima.
