Ex-Gov Matawalle’s Aide Denies Zamfara Empty Treasury Narrative, Says N25.9bn Left In 2023

A former aide to the erstwhile Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, Comrade Anas Abdullahi Kaura, has accused the current governor, Dauda Lawal, of disseminating falsehoods regarding the state’s finances to tarnish his predecessor’s reputation.

Kaura claimed that Matawalle left over N25.9billion in the state’s treasury when he handed over power to Governor Lawal in May 2023.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Kaura, who also served as special adviser on Urban and Regional Planning during Matawalle’s tenure, berated incumbent Governor Lawal for alleging that the previous administration under Matawalle left the state’s coffers empty.

He insisted that the funds were available and documented, challenging Lawal to provide evidence to the contrary.

The controversy stemmed from an exclusive interview of Governor Lawal aired by Arise News Channel on Sunday, where he alleged that he inherited a mere N4 million in the state account, alongside widespread dysfunction and crippling debts.

Lawal described the state as being in “complete disarray,” with every sector in crisis and no functioning systems in place when he took over in 2023.

But, Kaura dismissed Lawal’s claims and accused him of manipulating facts to paint Matawalle as a failure.

Providing a breakdown of the alleged funds, Kaura stated that Matawalle left N2.65 billion in the ACRESAL account, N14.33 billion in bond balance, N6.3 billion in UBE grants, and N2.7billion in NG-Cares funds.

“If he claims he met only N4 million, where did he get the money to pay workers and offset debts as he boasted during the interview?” Kaura questioned.

The former governor’s aide further alleged that Lawal lacked commitment to Zamfara’s people, describing him as a power-hungry leader more interested in the title of governor than in delivering results.

Kaura pointed to worsening hunger, insecurity, and unpaid salaries that have left students out of school, accusing Lawal of failing to commission a single project since taking office.

“His counterparts, like Uba Sani in Kaduna and the Sokoto State governor, are commissioning projects, while he is busy flying to Abuja and abroad, enjoying himself,” Kaura said.

Kaura also defended Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, saying he is focused on national projects assigned by President Bola Tinubu and is unconcerned with Lawal’s accusations.

“How can anyone with a right sense of reasoning believe a governor would leave just N4 million in the state account? Lawal has turned himself into a laughingstock,” he added.