Governor Bello Matawallen has said his administration has resolved to leave decisions on Sharia matters in the hands of Islamic clerics in the state for better results.
He made the assertion when the Islamic Group, ‘Jama’atu Tajdidil Islam’ Zamfara State Chapter led by its National Vice-President, Malam Aminu Aliyu Modibbo paid him a courtesy call at the Government House.
Matawalle said the decision was best, to give the system more credibility.
“I am doing this with the utmost belief that it is only the clerics who can bring desired changes and progress in the Sharia system we are operating which can be devoid of any political interference” the Governor announced.
“I am not a neophyte in the system here in my state. I was the first Commissioner for Local Government Affairs where the system was domiciled when it was launched. I want a situation where it will no longer be perceived or misunderstood as ‘political sharia’ in the state”
Governor Matawalle explained that the essence of Sharia is good leadership and harmonious relationship as well as progress
He decried a situation where indigenes of the state engage in running it down due to bitter politics.
“Zamfara state is not the only state facing security challenges in the country nor is it the worst hit but it is the one that is more trumpeted by citizens of the state either due to lack of patriotism or sheer political vendetta’.
He said his government has done a lot in wooing investors to the state but many are scared by the negative reports of insecurity which in most cases, he claims are overblown.
“Unless we stand up and fight negative propaganda against our state, we cannot win this battle in its entirety’ Matawalle warned”.
Matawalle recalled that ”In the past, the story from oil-rich areas of the country is that we are poor and parasitic and many even called for the break-off of the country but with my expose’ of Zamfara gold to the whole world, the narrative has now changed to how we can come together with calls on the federal government to integrate the Zamfara gold into the national wealth, a call that is unnecessary as it was already a national wealth.
“I will therefore call on the Ulamas to embark on mass education of our people on the need to be patriotic and shun negative vices. I will appeal to the Ulamas to key into the government programs by educating the people rather than joining the unpatriotic citizens in running the government down”
