The Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, has paid a solidarity visit to Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, expressing their total support to his anti-banditry campaign in the North-western part of the country.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, had accused Mr Matawalle of sponsoring banditry in the North-western states, the allegation the governor since denied.
However, leading a 4-man delegation to Zamfara State, the forum Chairman and Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the forum was completely in support of Mr Matawalle’s fight against banditry and other criminality in the state and the North-west at large.
“We note your single-mindedness in this pursuit and we also note the positive results being recorded by your approach in the fight against the menace of banditry in your state and the North-west as a whole”, Governor Fayemi noted with delight.
“All the Nigerian Governors stand as one in your support at this hour in your total commitment to the liberation of our people from the activities of these criminals in your state and the region.
“Whatever we can do to assist, we shall do it. We are here to encourage you to do more and we are solidly behind you,” Mr Fayemi told Mr Matawalle.
He added: “We pray that the year 2021 will be the year of peace and by the grace of God, the peace we shall have.”
Responding, Mr Matawalle said he was elated and emboldened by the visit which, according to him, would serve as an elixir for his renewed efforts to do more so that his people could sleep with their two eyes closed.
He said: “No amount of discouragement can deter me from doing what is right to salvage my people from the menace of banditry and other criminality.”
He noted with utter dismay that after sleepless nights working hard to assist in the release of Kankara children, the spokesman of the APC could accuse him of harbouring bandits who terrorise his neighbours.
“I intended to take legal action but for the intervention of my brother, the Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, who assured me that the officer would be reprimanded for such a callous statement.
“I am, however, waiting to see the action that the APC will take since it has dissociated itself from the statement,” Mr Matawalle stressed.
The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the support he has always rendered to him in the fight against banditry in the state.
Mr Kayode was in the company of governors Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who sent a representative.
