The governor of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal, has given us more than one reason to doubt his government and make us question whether or not he can handle the tasks that come with this position. The appointment of Governor Lawal has highlighted how the decisions of one individual can profoundly impact an entire region for the worse.
When Bello Matawalle became the governor of the state in 2019, he tackled the security challenges of the state within his 100 days in office, and Zamfara became secure and peaceful for over nine months without any security incidents across the length and breadth of the state. On the other hand, there is Governor Dauda Lawal, who has been in office for 9 months and has prioritized his leisure over the security and stability of the state he was elected to govern.
Following an online newspaper report, they reported that Governor Lawal spent N170,276,294.31 on international travel and transport, N221,567,094 on local travel, and N6,929,500.00 on private security within the three months. He has allegedly spent 400 million naira on trips out of Zamfara.
However, in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, he claims that this news was fabricated by the people who want the downfall of the governor. The spokesperson denied the allegations.
In his statement, he said: “We read a report alleging that Governor Dauda Lawal spent over N400 million on foreign trips. This is false and an attempt to tarnish the governor’s image.
“The principles of transparency and accountability are the foundation of Governor Dauda Lawal’s government.”
He also claims that the governor has only undertaken three official foreign trips since assuming office on May 29, 2023. However, in an interview with Farin Wata TV station reporters in Gusau, the governor disclosed that he travels outside the state frequently, contradicting everything his spokesman blurted.
The governor claims that he makes these trips because he has to source financial and material help to pull the state out of its security and socioeconomic setbacks. This claim followed his spokesperson’s debunking of the rumor that the governor was constantly leaving the state and paying an enormous amount of money for both private security and travel expenses.
We are left feeling skeptical by all of these back-and-forth talks, and we can’t help but ask why he and his spokesperson do not speak in the same vein.
The governor has been traveling for the past nine months, claiming that this is to find assistance in rescuing Zamfara State from its security crisis. However, there are increasing signs of insecurity in Zamfara every day, raising questions about the purpose of these meetings.
He leaves the crucial matters of government businesses to consultants who are unfamiliar with the political climate and culture of the state, but despite this, he still has nothing to show for it. His lack of attendance is negatively impacting the Federal Government’s enthusiasm, dedication, and resolve to eradicate the threat of rural banditry.
We anticipate witnessing a change in the state’s security and socioeconomic conditions if he is taking those trips for the purposes he claims, and because the work is getting done, even the money that was purportedly spent can be disregarded. Instead, he is trying to divert the attention of Zamfara people and beyond from his total failure to tackle immediately the current waves of security concerns, ranging from mass abduction to waves of attacks, killings, and maiming of hundreds of innocent people, bedeviling the state, which he promised the people during his electioneering.
No serious government fully committed to fighting the ugly security situation bedeviling Zamfara State can spend almost six months without bringing to the table any tangible plans and actions to tackle the menace. Rather, he is engaging in private business trips both within and outside the country, abandoning the state to administrative consultants.
Zamfara, being one of the most educationally and economically backward and disadvantaged states in Nigeria, certainly needs a leader who is committed to the welfare, well-being, and security of lives and property of the people and who can provide that kind of leadership that is vibrant and responsive to the yearnings and needs of the people.
