Zamfara Assembly Faction Grills Governor Over Alleged Misuse of Public Funds

A factional sitting of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi, turned tense on Thursday as lawmakers leveled serious accusations against Governor Dauda Lawal, alleging reckless spending and financial misconduct.

During the heated plenary in Gusau, legislators described the alleged actions of the governor as blatant abuse of office and mismanagement of state resources.

Prominent among their concerns was the revelation that a medical facility initially started by former governor Aliyu Mamuda Shinkafi and completed by Abdulaziz Yari for about ₦1 billion, was now reportedly costing nine times more for what they termed “mere repainting.”

Lawmakers also demanded explanations on the whereabouts of ₦200 billion disbursed to states by the federal government as part of palliatives following petrol subsidy removal. Each state reportedly received ₦20 billion over ten months.

Additionally, questions arose over the utilization of ₦49 billion under the NG-CARES programme, funds intended to empower youths, particularly those displaced by bandit attacks. This followed a ₦2.6 billion counterpart fund provided by ex-governor Bello Matawalle before his exit in 2023.

The Assembly has given the state’s executive two weeks to furnish a detailed breakdown of how these funds were spent.

Beyond finances, lawmakers voiced alarm over rising insecurity. Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) lamented that the state government appeared overwhelmed by worsening violence. He cited the Gusau–Maru–Talata Mafara road as a hotspot for killings and disclosed that kidnappers recently extorted ₦17 million from Morai residents without releasing abducted victims, even after payment.

While acknowledging the governor’s initiative to establish Community Protection Guards, members decried the high casualty rate among the guards, claiming the government had failed to adequately support the initiative.

Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North) called for more investment in education, advocating for free schooling and scholarships for deserving Zamfara youths.

The session took a sharper political turn when Hon. Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura) moved a motion for a vote of no confidence in Governor Lawal. He accused the governor of failing to safeguard lives and property, sowing division among citizens, and allegedly undermining the state’s Islamic heritage, including attempts to weaken the Council of Ulama.