Zamfara Governor Alleges Exclusion From Federal Intervention Support Over Party Affiliation

Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has alleged that his state has not received any federal intervention funds since he assumed office in 2023 allegedly because he reamins in an opposition party.

Speaking in an interview with Radio DW Hausa, the governor, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed that while some states have benefited from substantial federal support, Zamfara State had not received “a single kobo” besides its statutory allocations.

“The Federal Government has never disbursed any intervention unlike other states. I have it on good authority that some states have received over N500 billion from the Federal Government, but my state has not received a single kobo,” Lawal said. “I believe it is because I am not in the same party as them. I am in an opposition party.”

LEADERSHIP reports that Governor Lawal is currently the only governor from an opposition party in the North-West geopolitical zone, where other states are controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He maintained that despite the alleged lack of additional federal support, his administration has continued to execute projects across the state.

“Since I became governor in 2023, if not for the allocation we are entitled to, the Federal Government has not given us any additional intervention. But that has not stopped us from doing our best to execute projects for the betterment of our people,” he said.

The governor also stressed that his administration has not taken any new loans to run the state, noting that Zamfara was still servicing debts incurred by the previous administration.

“I have never borrowed any loan to run our state, not even one cent. Every month, N1.2 billion is deducted before the money is sent to us,” he stated.

On his political future, Lawal ruled out an immediate defection to another political party despite internal challenges within the PDP.

“As a Muslim, I believe only God gives power, no one else. I can’t betray my party just because we have internal issues within it. I will do my best to see the end of this issue we are facing,” he said.

When specifically asked whether he would consider joining the ruling APC, the governor said any such decision would require consultation.

“I can’t make that decision alone. I have to consult with my supporters before I can make such a decision. But if PDP is fixed, then there will be no reason for me to move to any party,” Governor Lawal added.