For allegedly saying he and his deputy were responsible for the insecurity in Zamfara state, the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari has threatened to kill the Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa politically in 2019.
The Governor who spoke through one of his Special Advisers, Alhaji Salisu Isah at a press conference in Kaduna said, “the Senator displayed his fraudulent character and l made it a duty to respond to these reckless allegations with the view to among other reasons let the world know the character of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and why he cannot be taken seriously.
“Most importantly to bring to the public notice the laudable efforts Governor Yari is making to tackle the security menace confronting the good people of Zamfara state and why he should be commended rather than castigated in a manner the Senator did.”
Answering questions from Journalists on the allegation that Senator Marafa said if anything happened to him, Governor Yari should be held responsible, Alhaji Salisu said, “Yes we are going to kill him politically, we are going to bury his political ambition in 2019. He wants to be Governor, he is not going to get it, even the Senate he is not going to return”.
Reading from a prepared speech the Governors Adviser stated that, ” It is irresponsible and cheap blackmail for Senator Marafa to state that Gov. Yari and his deputy were responsible for the insecurity in Zamfara state.”
According to him, this is because, “On his inauguration, Governor Yari has stated among his administration’s key priorities is to address the menace of insecurity in the state; especially cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed banditry that has denied Zamfara people of sound sleep for many years.
“Shortly after assuming office, Governor Yari has paid several visits to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces as well as Military Service Chiefs to appeal for the federal government assistance to tackle the menace of insecurity occasioned by cattle rustling, armed banditry and criminality in the state.
“This is to underscore the commitment of the governor towards ending insecurity and criminality in Zamfara State as against what Senator Marafa alleged.”
He, however, said, “There is no record anywhere to‘ indicate the contributions of the Senator towards addressing the problem. What is in public domain is the Senator’s politicking and noise making to seek undue relevance and hypocritical display of fake loyalty to President Buhari”.
Salisu said, “the Senator should not be taken seriously because the allegations are baseless, mischievous and unfounded.
Instead of Senator Marafa to look for ways to assist the state government he is busy making noise and seeking undue relevance.
“The question one should ask is what is the contribution of Marafa towards solving the insecurity problems in Zamfara State If he claims to be concerned as a Senator representing the people of Zamfara Central Senatorial Zone?
” He should bury his face in shame for playing politics with such an important issue as the security of lives and properties of the good people of Zamfara state.
“For Senator Marafa to accuse Gov. Yari of romancing with the criminals causing insecurity in Zamfara State is not only mischievous and callous but also very misleading.
” Apart from the federal government intervention, Governor Yari sought self-help by mobilizing local vigilante to confront the security challenges in the state.
“Yari went out of his way to reach a peace agreement with the leaders of these known criminal gangs all in an effort to ensure government guarantees security of lives and property in Zamfara state.”
He also berated the Senator, Saying “Senator Marafa has always posed as a friend and supporter of President Buhari but behind the President, he is an enemy, I am calling on President Buhari and the Senate President to be careful of slippery people like Senator Marafa. Such people are serpents moving around with venom, seeking for an opportunity to strike. They are unreliable and cannot be trusted”, he said.
