Is Governor Lawal’s N50m Ramadan Gift Gesture Of Goodwill Or Political Manipulation?
By Abdullahi Alhassan.
It has been reliably gathered that Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has distributed a total of 50 million naira to former governors and deputy governors of the state in the spirit of Ramadan
The Secretary to Government of Zamfara State (SSG) Abubakar Nakwada was quoted to have disclosed this in an informal discussion said former Governors Ahmed Rufai Sani Bakura and Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi received N15 million each. Additionally, former deputy governors, Muktar Ahmed Anka and Ibrahim Wakala Muhammad, each received N10 million.
However, sources suggest that the payments were made with the aim of garnering political support, particularly from opposition figures.
Although the distribution has sparked criticism from residents, especially considering the widespread poverty and hunger in Zamfara State.
Many are particularly surprised that former Governor Bakura, who played a key role in the introduction of Sharia law in Zamfara and Nigeria, would accept such a sum in at this time of hardship facing the people.
Some of the residents recalled that former Governor Bakura amputated a man convicted of stealing and now he is receiving money he never worked for which is equal to stealing and should be subjected to same treatment.
Some residents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, criticised the governor for what they saw as a misuse of public funds in the pursuit of his own political ambitions.
“Those claiming to be in other political parties are undermining their integrity by accepting such payments. They have shown they cannot be trusted,” one resident remarked.
Another resident expressed disbelief over Bakura’s involvement, saying, “It’s shocking that former Governor Bakura, who introduced Sharia in Zamfara and Nigeria, would accept money when the people of the state are suffering from extreme poverty and hunger.”
Some of the residents claimed that this is against Sharia law and the beneficiaries should be subjected to the law accordingly.
The SSG Nakwada disbursed the money to the former Governors and deputy Governors in conjunction with the State Commissioner for Budget, Abdulmalik Gajam, who is also a son inlaw to former Governor Bakura.
The Commissioner of Budget it was further gathered confirmed the transactions in yet another informal gathering.
