…Donate N100m to Zamfara government over market fire
…I am still a PDP member – Gov Muhammad
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors of Rivers, Taraba, Bauchi, Adamawa and Oyo states, have advised the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to avoid taking advantage of the Zamfara market fire to play politics.
The governors, under the PDP Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, led by Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal stated this when they went to commiserate with the government and people of Zamfara state over the fire incident on Wednesday.
While appealing “to leaders in the country not to take advantage of misfortune to play politics,” Tambuwal also announced the donation of N100 million to the victims of the Tudun Wada market inferno in Gusau.
“Where were some of these visitors when all that has been happening to the people of Zamfara?
“No life was lost during the inferno. How many lives were lost from the time when APC was in charge of this Government House till now? How many of them came here to commiserate with my people of Zamfara state even those of us who are neighbors?,” the Sokoto governor further asked.
Lamenting the ‘shackling’ poverty level and the bogus fight against corruption by “the APC Federal government,” Tambuwal regretted that “we are busy playing politics.
“That is wrong. We must not take advantage of misfortunes to come and play politics.
“We the governors of PDP, this is our home. We are not visitors. No visitor can come and surplant us here. We have come home and I will take off my mask so that you can see me well, not as visitors but owners of this home, to commiserate with our own people that have been affected by this inferno.
“I pity any leader who seeks to take advantage of his people’s misfortune to play politics. We as leaders must always remain leaders and provide leadership. And, know where, when and how to play politics.
“So, I appeal that as leaders, we must demarcate between politics and leadership; and when it is time for us to come together, to work together, irrespective of party, to save our people from the excruciating level of insecurity, particularly in Zamfara tate; and even in Katsina state,” Tambuwal stressed.
He called on the people of Zamfara state to know who their friends are.
“You should know who your brothers and friends are. And, we are here as your friends and brothers. We are here as your genuine friends to commiserate with you and tell you; and we are telling our brother that come rain, come sunshine, we will not tolerate any intimidation.
“You know me. Can I be intimidated… Not by any federal might. And, you know it, because we believe in God. No fly zone. Fly in, fly out will not take power,” he further affirmed.
Also speaking, Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike cautioned the APC not to ‘poach’ Governor Bello Muhammad of Zamfara state.
“When people fail, they don’t talk about their failure. Our Chairman may not have nailed it directly. I will say it directly. A party came and told Nigerians that you should vote for them. And, that party is APC. Is it not?” Wike asked.
Chastising the ruling party for being unable to checkmate insecurity, reduce poverty, create employment opportunities for citizens and failing to stabilize the free fall of foreign exchange in the country, Wike said it is busy moving around the country ‘poaching’ people.
“You can imagine the insult. A party in Federal government that declared Zamfara a ‘no fly zone.’ The same party is coming to woo you to join them. I don’t understand this. You caused crisis in a state and you come back to woo, which means you are the one causing crisis. If you go, they will now say you can fly. The people of Zamfara, shine your eyes,” Wike said.
Responding, Governor Muhammad thanked the forum for the timely visit and the support to the victims of the fire incident, stressing that he is still a member of the PDP.
