A civic group, the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, has welcomed the defection of Peoples Democratic Party leaders from Maradun Local Government Area to the All Progressives Congress, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of playing politics with the lives of Zamfara residents.
The Forum said the wave of defections reflected growing public frustration with the style of governance in the state.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad Tsafe, on Thursday night, the group commended the former PDP Chairman of Maradun Local Government, Alhaji Muttaka Dalhatu, alongside his executives and ward leaders, for what it described as a courageous political decision.
According to the Forum, the defectors’ move was driven by their search for sincerity, maturity and dependable leadership, qualities they said were embodied by the former governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
“The steady movement of PDP members into the APC is a clear signal of growing public frustration with the style of governance currently witnessed in Zamfara State,” the statement read.
The Forum alleged that the current administration had relied more on promises, media narratives and political distractions than on concrete action to address the state’s challenges.
It noted that several prominent PDP figures had recently defected to the APC after expressing confidence in Matawalle’s leadership experience.
Those listed include the member representing Maradun Local Government in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon Maharazu Salisu Faru; the PDP Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Abbakar Siddi Ciroma; and the PDP candidate in the state assembly by-election, Muhammad Lawal.
The Forum said some of the defectors cited Matawalle’s compassion, accessibility and understanding of Zamfara’s security realities as reasons for their decision.
It further expressed concern that security in the state had continued to deteriorate since Matawalle left office, alleging that the current administration had failed to respond with the required urgency.
“Turning insecurity into a tool for political warfare is dangerous and deeply unfair to innocent citizens who bear the real cost,” the Forum stated.
Describing Matawalle as a leader with political maturity and tolerance, the group said the confidence he continued to enjoy across party lines was based on experience and visible leadership.
The Forum stressed that it was a non-partisan civic platform committed to accountability, peace and the protection of lives and livelihoods in Zamfara State.
“Our concern is not party labels, but leadership outcomes. Zamfara people deserve governance that prioritises security, honesty and human dignity over propaganda and political vendetta,” it added.