The gubernatorial candidate of People’s Democratic Party-PDP in Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare (Gamjin Gusau) had recently inaugurated his campaign committee in Gusau following the comencement of Political Activiteis in earnest all over the country. The gubernatorial hopeful had afterwards bared his mind on many political issues to newsmen after the inauguration ceremony. Excerpts.
Q- SIR, can you please give us an insight into your recent activities on arrival at Gusau?
ANS- Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Dr. Dauda Lawan Dare (Gamjin Gusau) gubernatorial candidate of People’s Democratic Party –PDP – in Zamfara state. Coming back to your question, as you are aware, the 12th October 2022 is the official date for the commencement of presidential and gubernatorial campaigns as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC – throughout the country. Based on that we came up with a lot of political programmes one of them was to receive decampees from other political parties including APC members. Secondly we planned to formally inaugurate my campaign committee and that was exactly what we did. As law abiding persons we duly informed all necessary relevant security agencies about our political progremmes. To my greatest surprise on Friday night, we received circular from the commissioner of information saying that the state government has banned all political activities citing security problem as the reason. I personally feel it was not right because we abide by the stipulated rules and regulation as law abiding citizens prior to the commencement of the banning circular. We followed the rules through due process so what happened was the formal commencement of our political campaign programmes because 12th October 2022 was the official commencement date approved by the government Alhamdulillahi we came to Zamfara, we did what we wanted to do by making sure that our meeting went very well.
Q- Sir , there were alleged clashes between your party members and the ruling APC in the state. The ruling party said their members were attacked by your boys and one APC member died while eighteen sustained various degrees of injuries. Are you aware of that?
ANS- Let me once again emphasise and make it very clear that we are law abiding people. On my way from Abuja to Gusau, I was attacked by thugs that were sent by the ruling party at two places. One of them was around T/Wada round about and we did not retaliate but forged ahead. That same night, while visiting all the Zawiyya Schools in Gusau, we were attacked and one of my vehicles was burnt by thugs. When I left my house that night, on my way to Zawiyya, one of my cars (Toyota Corola) was attacked and its rear glass smashed. We did not take action but went ahead till the following day when we reported the incident to the Police. They made sure that none of my supporters from the Local government areas are allowed to travel because they restricted movement of vehicles. How ever, the people were determined and were able to find a way out. Eventually the people successfully attended the gathering. As most of you can see, along the road was one of my campaign vans which was vandalized by the state government political thugs. They mounted road blocks along the major roads leading to my house preventing people from attending the function. So how can anyone claim the PDP boys initiate the attacks? As far as I know, we did not attack nor killed anybody.
Q- Do you feel intimated by what happened?
Ans- As you can see, I cannot be intimidated by anybody. Nobody, as per as this issue is concerned, can intimidated me or the PDP. We abide by the rules and we strictly follow those rules. Official campaign has formally started and we will continue to peacefully go about implementing our campaign programmes. Let me make it clear that nobody, no political party, no state government would deter us from going about with our normal campaign activities in sha Allah.
Q- Sir, on the issue of National Merit Award. People are saying that your name was removed, what really happened?
Ans- That’s very funny indeed. Let me categorically make it clear that in the first place I didn’t nominate myself. I was nominated by a committee that was set up and which I know nobody about. I received a nomination letter from the office of the Minister of Special duties saying that the president has approved my award as Member of the Order of the Niger-MON- and I went ahead to do the online registration procedure. To my surprise, somehow my name was mysteriously removed. I wondered why.
Because before you get presidential approval of such award, you have to go through the national security screening process. I was cleared and on that basis I received formal invitation letter. I have it, I can show it to you. At the last minute, I was informed that my name has been removed. I later found out that the state governor felt sad and threatened about my award. He went to Villa and complained why his enemy be given the award which will show how the President symbolically endorses my candidature. The governor pointed out to them the negative consequences of such action to him and his political career.
As I have said, my name was mysteriously removed from the list. That’s all I can tell you as per that issue is concerned. In view of the established system and processes of the national merit award, there’s a serious question mark of how such abnormal thing can happen. But as I have said earlier, I didn’t ask for it, I was nominated based on merit.
Q- How do you see your chances of winning the forthcoming 2023 gubernatorial election in Zamfara State?
Ans- Oh! The chances are of course high and very bright in –sha Allah. Come 2023, March PDP will take over Zamfara state by the special grace of God.
Q- if you eventually win, are you prepared to lead the state to the promised land, and what do you intend to do?
Ans- When you talk of preparedness, that is an understatement. First of all, before going into partisan politics, one should have an ideological reason. I believe there are fundamental issues that need to be solved in Zamfara state in both rural and urban areas. Part of my plans is the comprehensive implementation of a crucial mission plan to salvage the state and its people from the havoc of inept leadership. In fact this is the right time to do the Job. Remember Zamfara state is always in the mass media for the wrong reasons. You can go round the state, there are issues of insecurity which become daily thing in Zamfara. You are aware of the educational challenges we are facing, you are aware of the poor healthcare sector. You are also aware of the agricultural problems and so many interrelated multi-dimensional problems. In fact, you would be ashamed to drive in the capital city of Zamfara state, Gusau with the kind of access township roads and general infrastructural decay. It is a big shame for any responsible administration. Look at the issue of empowerment. People are idle doing nothing while the government is breeding political thugs attacking people unjustly. If you have done your best, why are scared? Why can’t they allow an enabling environment for every body to come out and compete? Let them tell the electorate what they have done and accomplish within the period they have been in office. They should allow the people of Zamfara to decide whom they like as their leader come 2023.
All this intimidation will neither help them nor take us anywhere. We are ready to courageously take up the challenges come 2023, that is when they will really enjoy the dividends of democracy.
