UDC demands state of emergency in Zamfara over spiralling insecurity

The UDC has urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara as insecurity worsens and lawmakers are suspended

 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he United Democratic Coalition (UDC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing a complete breakdown of law and order, growing insecurity, and executive overreach in the state.

Also read: Coalition of Nigerian’s condemns Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State

In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, Abdulrahman Danladi, president of the coalition, described Zamfara as “a state under siege.”

He accused the state government of failing in its constitutional duty to protect lives and uphold democratic norms.

“The situation in Zamfara has gone from troubling to terrifying. Armed groups operate freely, citizens are at the mercy of bandits, and yet those elected to speak up are being silenced,” the statement read.

Danladi was referring to the recent suspension of 10 lawmakers from the Zamfara State House of Assembly. According to the coalition, the legislators were targeted for raising alarms over rampant insecurity and alleged illegal mining activities in their constituencies.

“What we are witnessing is not just lawlessness — it is executive tyranny,” Danladi stated. “These lawmakers were elected to serve their people and raise legitimate concerns.

Instead of addressing the issues, the state assembly, clearly under pressure, moved to silence them.”

Drawing parallels with the political standoff in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara governed briefly with only four lawmakers, Danladi questioned the federal government’s apparent double standards.

“If Rivers with four lawmakers sparked talks of emergency rule, how is Zamfara with 10 suspended lawmakers and spiralling violence not a national concern?” he asked. “Democracy is being murdered in Zamfara in broad daylight.”

The UDC called for a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara to enable security forces to take full control, restore peace, and return the state to constitutional governance.

The coalition also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers and an inquiry into what it termed “executive interference” in the legislature.

“This is not the time for political correctness. It is the time for leadership,” Danladi concluded. “The people of Zamfara are under siege — both by bandits and by those who should be protecting them.”

Also read: PFN to Tinubu: Declare state of emergency on security

Zamfara, located in north-west Nigeria, remains one of the country’s most volatile states. Over the past year, the region has suffered repeated attacks from armed groups, with thousands displaced and scores killed.