A faction of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, led by Bashar Aliyu Gummi, has issued a two-week ultimatum to Governor Dauda Lawal to provide a comprehensive explanation on alleged financial mismanagement related to hospital project and the state funds.
This demand was made during a plenary session in Gusau, the state capital.
During the session, the lawmakers described as callous and an outright abuse of office, the alleged reported 9 billion naira earmarked for the renovation of the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau.
They questioned how a facility initially constructed during the administrations of former Governors Aliyu Mamuda Shinkafi and completed during administration of Abdulaziz Yari at about one billion naira could now require nine times that amount for renovation, which they alleged amounted to mere painting and cosmetic work.
The lawmakers also queried the disbursement and utilization of N200 billion reportedly received by the Zamfara State Government as part of federal allocations following the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
They claimed each state was granted 20 billion naira monthly for 10 months, and demanded clarity on how Zamfara’s share was spent.
Additionally, the faction raised concerns over the management of N49 billion received under NG-CARES programme, aimed at empowering 250 youths from each of the 147 political wards in the state especially those displaced by banditry was reportedly accessed after the previous administration, led by Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, paid a 2.6 billion naira counterpart fund.
On the security front, the legislators decried what they described as the governor’s lack of urgency in addressing the growing insecurity in the state.
A member of the House, Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) said the governor appeared to have lost control of the worsening situation.
He noted that major roads, including the Gusau–Maru–Talata Mafara route, had become deadly, with bandits striking at will.
He further alleged that N17 million was recently paid by residents of Morai for the release of kidnapped victims, yet the abductees were not released with no official response from the government.
While acknowledging their initial support for the creation of the Community Protection Guards, lawmakers lamented the government’s silence over the frequent killing of these guards by armed criminals.
In his contribution, Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North) advocated for the introduction of free education and scholarships for qualified Zamfara indigenes, while Hon.
Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura) called for a vote of no confidence on Governor Lawal.
He accused the governor of failing to protect lives and property, creating disunity, and attempting to undermine religious institutions, beginning with the Ulama Council.
The factional lawmakers warned that they would not hesitate to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor should he fail to address the raised concerns within the stipulated two-week period.
AMINU DALHATU
