The Opposition People’s Democratic Party in Nasarawa State has called on the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, to face the challenges of developing the state as the time for politics was over
The party also urged the governor to leave President Bola Ahmed Tinibu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, out of the politics of the state and face his political travails.
The state chairman of PDP, Chief Francis Orogu Enokela, gave the warning weekend in Lafia.
Chief Orogu said that the party has observed with grave concern the governor’s inability to settle down like his counterparts in other states to make impact after his four years and three months in office.
“We have observed that after four years and three months in office, governor Abdullahi Sule is yet to commission a single remarkable project in the state because of his weak leadership ability to manage the huge state resources.
“It is disturbing that the APC governor in Nasarawa State is only hiding in the guise of collaborating with the former governor of River State who has just been appointed the FCT Minister, to discuss infrastructure development and security between Nasarawa State and the FCT when even his homestead was the headquarters of kidnappers’ den.
“We strongly advise Mr. Wike to enquire from Gov. Sule, why Nasarawa State has become hideout for terrorists operating in the Federal Capital.
“Mr. Wike should further note that the crises in Benue State is mainly at the border with Nasarawa as well as those from Taraba, Plateau, Kogi and Southern Kaduna. In recent times, even gun runners arrested in Enugu and Zamfara States claimed to have taken off from Lafia, the State Capital.
“Under Sule, an APC sitting State Chairman, Mr. Philip Tatari, was killed in Lafia metropolis and nothing has happened. A former federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Alh. Zakari Umaru, a classmate and close door neighbour in Gudi of Governor Sule, was murdered in his house after struggling for four hours of seeking help before he was murdered by the terrorists.”
Adding: “This is just a part of the litany of several others, including Emirs, Chiefs, farmers and civilians, who were either killed or kidnapped. Prof Onje Gye wado, former Deputy Governor, was kidnapped while former Minister of Information Labaran Maku, was attacked twice.
“Sadly and only recently, two Army Generals were kidnapped. It is worthy to note that all the hills in Nasarawa State are currently occupied by fundamentalist Fulani terrorists of foreign descent.
“Substantial number of terror groups from all over West Africa are being camped in Nasarawa State, terrorizing everywhere up to Northern Anambra and Enugu States.
“We believe that a conscious commitment to governance by Mr. Sule should have reduced or eliminated these security challenges. It is the non-performance and insecurity ravaging the state that led to the rejection of Gov. Sule in the last election.
“We therefore called on the Federal Government to closely look into the competence of the present state government to handle the affairs of the state with a view to providing additional support to the Army operation brigade in Doma and a mobile police training centre located in one of the most vulnerable areas of the state.
“We want to use this opportunity to draw the attention of the Nasarawa State governor to the fact that the time for politics was over and as such, he should not use the time meant to develop the state to drag Mr. President and the Minister into the politics of the state.
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State hereby called on well-meaning citizens of the state and other Nigerians, including the President and Minister Wike to kindly assist the state by drawing the attention of the governor to the development of the state rather than canvassing for support and seeking help everywhere to influence the tribunal to give judgement in his favour.
“PDP in the state is aware of all the antics Mr. Sule is deploying to influence the decision of the Tribunal. While the party believes in the integrity of the judiciary, all attempt to interfere with justice will only destroy the democracy we all agreed to practice.