Zamfara State governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari yesterday stated  that the collective effort of traditional rulers and the state government, coupled with sharia law established in the state, were the main reasons the state had been free and safe from the activities of the Boko Haram sect which is ravaging other sister states in the north.

He said, “I think that has to do with the collective effort both from the traditional rulers – and I can clearly mention the issue of good governance right from 1999 till date. When the sharia was established, all the crises that happened in other states never happened in Zamfara State. This is part of good governance.”

Yari stated this while speaking to State House correspondents after leading a delegation of elders from Zamfara State to a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential villa, Abuja.  Yari also said that it was important for people of the state “as a community to come and appreciate these gestures by the president”.

He said, “The president also appreciated the way and manner that Zamfara State has peace. He clearly mentioned that if there is any place in the country that would have the kind of Boko Haram activities if truly it likes Islam, then, it should be Zamfara State. He appreciates the fact that there is no incident like that in Zamfara State.”

Speaking further on the delegation’s mission to see the president, Yari said: “It is a high-powered delegation led by me, distinguished senators, former governor, honourable members of the House of Representatives and traditional rulers. Recently, the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of a federal university in Zamfara State.
“Since the birth of the state, Zamfara has been struggling to get a university in place but, as God would have, it did not happen until now. We came to express our appreciation to the president for this gesture.

“You are also aware of our struggle with lead poisoning. Recently, the president approved about N900million for the remediation of some villages that were affected by poisoning. As I am talking to you, work is on and myself and the honouable minister of state for works and the minister of information will be at the site to see how the work is going. It is important for us as a community to come and appreciate these gestures by the president.

“Mr president appreciates the way we came as a united team for progress in Zamfara State and he clearly said that he has not received this kind of team from any other state. It is good for people to appreciate when somebody does any good  thing for you as prescribed in our religion Islam.”

At the meeting, Yari described President Jonathan as “a national leader who treats all Nigerians equally, regardless of party affiliation”, adding that the federal university approved for the state was a “dream come true” for all Zamfara citizens.

The governor noted that the government and people of Zamfara State were particularly happy that the president promised, during election campaigns, to set up the university, and had kept his promise. He thanked the president for other projects in the state, and assured him of the support of the people of Zamfara State in his efforts to develop the country.

Responding, President Jonathan said winners of political contests must represent their entire constituency to the best of their abilities and use the available resources for the benefit of all.

“After elections, rulers represent everybody, regardless of whether they voted for you or not. So, all citizens should be beneficiaries of national or state resources. The duty of any government is to spread development, and this is not a favour,” he said, adding that the administration would continue to do the best for all citizens within the limits of available resources.

Jonathan thanked the delegation for coming to appreciate the federal government’s siting of a university and the release of N837.5m to check lead poisoning in the state.

The delegation included senators Ahmad Rufai Sani, Kabir Garba Marafa, Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, former governor Mahmud Shinkafi, speaker of the State House of Assembly Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, and the Emir of Anka and chairman of the State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, as well as members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.

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