The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States following the recent massacre of worshippers.
The demand was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, after several citizens were killed in the two states.
Abdullahi expressed deep concern over the killings in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, where worshippers were shot dead in a mosque during dawn prayers, while others were murdered in their homes across villages.
“In view of the foregoing, ADC therefore calls for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States until the government is able to stem the tide of bloodshed in those places and restore some order,” he said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to embark on a total re-evaluation of Nigeria’s national security architecture to ensure the protection of lives and property.
“The recent call by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for citizens to acquire self-defence skills is perhaps the most honest indicator yet that there is a need to rethink the entire internal defence system,” he added.
Abdullahi criticised what he described as the insensitivity of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the plight of citizens, saying the dominant parties were only focused on power and politics.
He faulted the decision of PDP governors to hold a political meeting in Zamfara State just days after the tragic killings, describing the move as “grossly insensitive.”
(NAN)