BY LUKA BINNIYAT
Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima, former governor of Zamfara State, is facing criticism by the National Assembly members from the state, as eight of the nine lawmakers accused him of unleashing mayhem in the state, using hired political thugs from neighbouring states.

“As the April general elections draw nearer, all activities of Senator Yerima to promote his party, the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, have been carried out with venom and utmost malice, usually with disastrous consequences to the hitherto peaceful and calm atmosphere of Zamfara politics,” the lawmakers said.

But Yerima swiftly dismissed the allegation as the whimpering of his former “boys”, who later betrayed him and the ANPP.

He said the lawmakers were lying because they were over-awed by his massive support base in the state, knowing fully that he and his party would sweep the April polls with ease.

The lawmakers, who addressed newsmen yesterday, include Senators Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u and  Hassan Mohammed Gusau, Hon. Mohammed Sani Takori; Hon. Idris Mohammed Keta. Others are Bello M. Mutawalle, Bello Abubakar Moriki, Abubakar Shehu Bunu and Dabir Zubairu.

All the members left the ANPP last year to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with Governor Mahmud Shinkafi, except Adullaziz Yari Abubakar, who is still a member of the ANPP.

Sen  Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, who read the address on behalf of others, said “problems upon problems, destruction upon destruction of lives and property have become the signature trail of the political activities of Sen Ahmed Yerima.” He said the Police in Zamfara have huge evidence to support the claim.

He said:  “On the 13th of February, 2011, a repeat of the ugly incident happened when thugs and ruffians imported into Gusau from neighbouring states went on rampage, causing mayhem and creating an atmosphere of apprehension in Gusau and environs, all because Sen Yerima held a political rally where he presented his candidates for political office under his party.”

He said they had made several attempts at dissuading Yerima to practice politics peacefully, but that he ignored them and insisted on fighting Governor Shinkafi, who was his deputy.

The lawmakers  called on the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser and State Security Service, SSS, to take note and call Senator Yerima to order.

When contacted for his own side of the story, the grey-bearded senator scoffed at the allegation, calling his colleagues and Governor Shinkafi scared contenders in the political contest of the state.

“All of them are my boys that I brought up to serve under me when I was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007. “They are not saying the truth at all. The truth is that I am very, very popular among the people, and anytime I put my foot in Zamfara, thousands would throng around me.

“It is the sheer size of my supporters that scares them. The ANPP is not a violent party and we have control over our members. “That the ruling party is complaining of intimidation so shamelessly in the public, is an indication of its lack of acceptance in the State,” he said.