A feeling that the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has actually abandoned the people in the midst of such serious crises on a day several students of Zamfara State University were kidnapped by bandits has understandably drawn the ire of gender protection groups and other concerned individuals.

One such groups is the the Girl-child Right and Freedom Protection Centre, a gender-based non-governmental organization which frowned at the Governor’s attitude of abandoning innocent women for a personal trip abroad.

A statement issued in Lagos by the GRFPC chairperson, Lynda Temitope Ajayi, said the recent kidnapping of female students of Gusau University has shed light on a distressing issue that needs urgent attention.

One crucial factor that cannot be overlooked, Mrs Ajayi said, is the attitude of the Zamfara State Governor who seems to have abandoned his people in the midst of such serious crises for a foreign trip on the day of the unforgettable abduction, describing the Governor’s action as callous, indecorous, insensitive, inhuman, indecent, uncivilized, inhuman and unforgivable.

“Let us remind the Zamfara Governor that he is holding position of power and authority, by the mandate of the people and one of his primary responsibilities is to protect and serve the people he leads.

“When faced with the grave threat of kidnapping and violence, it is disheartening to see a governor display apathy or negligence towards his constituents the way the Zamfara Governor so brazenly did.

“It callous and insensitive that in such a situation that demands strong and decisive action, yet the Governor retreated, leaving his people vulnerable and desperate,” Mrs Ajayi pointed out.

She said a crisis of this magnitude requires leaders to stand firm and participate fully in designing effective strategies to address the immediate concerns and prevent future incidents.

“It is discouraging to witness leaders shying away from their responsibilities and failing to provide the necessary support and protection to their communities”, Lynda Temitope Ajayi said.

She noted that the GRFPC is particularly disheartened by this attitude exhibited by the Governor, as the Group is acutely aware of the additional vulnerability faced by women and girls in situations of conflict and displacement.

“We expect leaders with conscience to prioritize the safety and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their gender. Such abandonment not only perpetuates a sense of fear and insecurity among the affected population but also undermines the trust in leadership.

“It is imperative that leaders demonstrate empathy, compassion, and a genuine dedication to the welfare of their people, especially during times of crisis. Their actions and engagement can play a vital role in restoring hope, confidence, and a sense of security within communities.

“In times like these, responsible leaders requires the necessary courage, political will and strong resolve all of which the Zamfara Governor apparently lacks, in order to prioritize the safety of their people and actively participate in measures that seek to address the situation once for all.

“Only by doing so, can leaders begin to rebuild trust, protect the vulnerable, and pave the way for a safer and more secure future,” she said.

Niger Delta Groups, including the Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), South-South Movement for Good Governance (SMG), the Urhobo Progressive Vanguard (UPV), Niger Delta Women for Change (NDWC), Cross River Youth Democratic Front (CRYDF), and 13 other groups, have expressed deep concern over what they described as “the recurring pattern of deception orchestrated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in matters of critical national importance.”

In a joint statement issued by the leaders of the over 17 groups, they carpeted the independent oil marketers over immediate hiked in pump prices of petrol as soon as the subsidy removal was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “in order to sabotage the sincere efforts of the government.”

Those who signed the statement include Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, the National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC); Barr. Raymond Oporomo, the National President of South-South Movement for Good Governance; Comrade Efemena Esamagu, the President of Urhobo Progressive Vanguard; Mrs. Abigail Asibie, the National Coordinator of Niger Delta Women for Change; Comrade Julius Emaluji, the National President of the Cross River Youth Democratic Front, among others.

The groups keenly observed that “on numerous occasions, the NLC has deceived the public by creating an illusion of safeguarding their welfare, only to betray their trust by engaging in backdoor negotiations with the government, ultimately disregarding the plight of the suffering masses.”

Cautioning labour unions over their planned strike action against the removal of subsidy on petrol, the organisations said, “We emphatically caution the NLC that it can no longer deceive anyone after having stripped itself of credibility, public trust, and confidence.

“We urges Nigerians to be vigilant and reject the NLC’s attempts to drag them into a situation with uncertain outcomes it. We urge our compatriots not to fall for the gimmicks employed by the NLC, who seem to be taking advantage of the suffering of the masses for their selfish negotiations.

“The NLC must first and foremost provide a comprehensive explanation regarding its absence during the preparation, presentation, defense, and passage of the budget by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and the 9th National Assembly, which did not include provisions for subsidy.

“It is disheartening to witness opportunistic actions being taken by the NLC only when it suits their agenda, rather than consistently advocating for the welfare of Nigerians”.

The groups called on Nigerians to hold the “independent oil marketers accountable for the drastic deterioration of petroleum prices, we vehemently condemn these acts of extortion by the independent marketers who hiked pump prices as soon as the subsidy removal was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to sabotage the sincere efforts of the government.

“This inhumane act of wickedness and greed demonstrates a lack of regard for the already burdensome living conditions faced by the Nigerian people.

“Moreover, we are not ignorant of the fact that the removal of fuel subsidies has placed an additional financial burden on the Nigerian populace, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society.

“The sudden increase in fuel prices has had a ripple effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential commodities, further exacerbating the hardships faced by the people.

“Therefore, we urge the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to critically review the fuel price template provided by the NNPCL. By reducing the fuel price template, the government will be lessening the financial burden on the masses”.

In addition to addressing the immediate concern of the fuel price template, the group called on President Bola Tinubu “to prioritize finding a lasting solution to the inherited issues plaguing the petroleum sector. One crucial aspect that demands urgent attention is the state of the existing refineries.

“The continuous reliance on imported petroleum products has not only proven to be economically unsustainable but also undermines our national energy security.

“We implore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to proffer a comprehensive and sustainable plan to revamp and rehabilitate the existing refineries within the coming months.

“This measure will not only reduce our dependence on imported petroleum products but also create job opportunities, foster local content development, and ultimately contribute to the economic growth and development of our nation.

“We urge all stakeholders to work together to build a nation where the welfare of the people is paramount and where the actions of all stakeholders align with the collective goal of a prosperous Nigeria”, they concluded.