Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Denies Forged Appointment of Suspected Terrorist

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal firmly rejected claims that he appointed suspected terrorist Bashir Hadejia as a Special Adviser. The governor’s denial came after a purported appointment letter, dated October 27, 2023, began circulating online.

Forgery Allegations

The controversial letter, allegedly signed by Mal Abubakar M. Nakwada, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, purported to announce Hadejia’s appointment. Hadejia, who was arrested last week on charges of treason and subversion, previously served as a special adviser to Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence, during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara.

Governor Lawal was quick to dismiss the document as fraudulent. “Let me make a categorical statement here. I did not appoint Hadejia as a Special Adviser,” Lawal asserted during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He emphasized that the letter’s date and heading raised red flags, and stressed that any official appointments are publicly announced.

Commitment to Transparency

Lawal reassured the public of his administration’s dedication to transparency and accountability. “We have nothing to hide,” he stated. “Whenever I appoint advisers, I usually tell the media that I have appointed X, Y, Z in different positions. I challenge anybody to show me where we made that kind of statement.”

Security Progress in Zamfara

The governor also addressed ongoing security issues in Zamfara, noting significant improvements. “The issue of insecurity is something that we inherited for over a decade and it is not something that we are going to solve overnight,” Lawal said. He highlighted efforts by his administration, including the establishment of Community Protection Guards (CPG), which have contributed to a reduction in insecurity.

Lawal reported that the improvements in security have allowed farmers to return to their lands and continue their agricultural activities. He affirmed that his administration is working closely with the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence to address these challenges.

Governor Dauda Lawal’s response underscores his administration’s commitment to transparency while addressing security issues in Zamfara State. The forged appointment letter has been dismissed as part of efforts to mislead the public, and Lawal’s administration remains focused on improving security and governance in the state.