Crisis is brewing between the APC-controlled Zamfara State government and the mainstream opposition, PDP, over the State House of Assembly’s plan to impeach the State Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.
The PDP is reported to have, among others, alleged that the State Governor, Bello Matawalle, of masterminding the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, and threat on the life of its Deputy Chairman, Kabiru Jabaka.
Consequently, the PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, Saturday, 5th February, warned the governor “of its plan to cause breach of the peace in the state” due to what its allegation that he is witch-hunting it’s members in the state.
In a swift reaction, Zamfara State, through the governor’s spokesman, Zailani Bappa, issued a stern warning to the PDP to rescind its alleged plan to destabilize the state, threatening to hold the opposition party responsible for any breach of the peace.
“While it is not the intention of His Excellency to join issues with the PDP on these baseless allegations, it is pertinent enough to draw the attention of the PDP to understand the workings and dynamics of our democracy,” Bappa stated.
“The Governor is in no way responsible for the actions of the Legislature in any state,” referring to the State Assembly’s reported process to impeach the Deputy Governor.
The Zamfara Government wondered “where the Party (PDP) sourced its information on alleged plan by His Excellency to impeach his Deputy,” saying, “The PDP must be informed that the Constitution of Nigeria does not empower Governors to impeach their Deputies.”
The government reminded the PDP that the roles of a state governor do not include the impeachment of any elected official in the state.
“Our concern is the peaceful co-existence and well being of the citizens of Zamfara State,” the government said, as it called on all security operatives in the country to take serious concern on this threat to the peace in Zamfara State by the PDP.
“Governor Bello Mohammed is right now overwhelmed by the fight against banditry in the State,” the government said, stating, “Zamfara State is fighting bandits and has no intention to fight Political bandits at this time, nor any time in the future.”