The Zamfara State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Bashar Gummi, has raised serious concerns over what it described as a misappropriation of public funds by Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration. This accusation came during a parallel plenary session held in Gusau, the state capital, on Thursday.
The lawmakers questioned the justification behind spending N9 billion on the renovation of Yariman Bakura Teaching Hospital, a project they claimed was originally constructed by former governor Aliyu Shinkafi and completed by ex-governor Abdulaziz Yari’s government at about N1 billion. According to them, it was unacceptable for the government to approve such an inflated amount for mere renovation works.
In addition, the Assembly demanded accountability regarding the N200 billion reportedly disbursed to the state by the federal government as a result of fuel subsidy removal. The lawmakers noted that each state was allocated N20 billion monthly over a 10-month period by the Tinubu administration, yet no clear explanation has been provided on how Zamfara’s share was utilised.
Another financial issue raised involved the management of N49 billion from the NG-CARES programme, a scheme designed to empower 250 youths from each of the state’s 147 wards, especially those displaced by insecurity. The fund was released following the payment of a N2.6 billion counterpart fund by immediate past governor Bello Matawalle shortly before leaving office.
The lawmakers issued a stern two-week ultimatum to the executive arm to provide a comprehensive account of these funds. Failure to comply, they warned, would lead to impeachment proceedings against Governor Lawal. In the same session, lawmakers voiced frustrations over the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara. Hon. Aliyu Kagara of Talata Mafara South lamented that key roads such as Gusau–Maru–Talata Mafara had become too dangerous for residents, with kidnappers openly demanding ransoms without government intervention.
He cited a recent incident where N17 million was collected from Morai villagers without the abductors releasing their captives. Despite supporting the establishment of the Community Protection Guards, the Assembly accused the governor of abandoning the initiative as its operatives continue to fall victim to armed groups.
Further contributions came from Hon. Nasiru Maru (Maru North), who called for the introduction of free education and scholarship schemes for deserving Zamfara indigenes, and Hon. Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura constituency), who suggested the Assembly pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Lawal.
He accused the governor of failing in his responsibilities, stoking disunity, and attempting to undermine religious leadership in the state. The session ended with strong calls for immediate government action to curb insecurity, manage public resources transparently, and restore public confidence in the state’s leadership.
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