Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has challenged political appointees who believe they have not benefited from his administration to resign from their positions.
The governor made the remarks on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House in Gusau.
The meeting followed concerns raised by political office holders, youths and women over welfare and the distribution of government benefits.
Responding to the complaints, Lawal said: “There are some political office holders who complain that they have not gotten anything. That is not true. Even among the commissioners, anyone who feels he is not getting anything should resign.”
He explained that his administration had spent the past three years concentrating on governance, infrastructure development and restoring peace across the state.
According to the governor, projects valued at more than N20 billion have been executed in each of Zamfara’s 14 local government areas during the period.
Lawal said the government would now give greater attention to political activities after focusing on development since assuming office.
“For three years, we have focused on governance. Now it is time to return to politics, because its time has come,” he said.
The governor admitted that one mistake made by his administration was not publishing the names of contractors handling government projects, adding that the information would soon be made public.
He also praised key APC leaders, including Abdulmalik Zannah, Ahmadu Mai-Palace, Aminu Jaji and Bello Hassan, for supporting residents and youths through various empowerment programmes.
Lawal urged party members to remain united, saying: “From today, please, let us stop the politics of so-and-so’s houses. Let us come together as one party with the same vision. The talk of Dauda’s house, Matawalle’s house or Shehi’s house should stop. Let us unite and stay under one house, because it is Allah who has brought us together in His grace.”
As part of his administration’s empowerment efforts, the governor disclosed that more than 3,000 youths had received skills training, while graduates were being supported to become self-reliant through government programmes.
He announced plans to meet former governors Ahmad Yarima, Mamuda Shinkafi, Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle in Abuja to harmonise the leadership of the APC Campaign Council ahead of future political activities.
Lawal appealed to those who may not be selected for campaign roles to remain committed, saying every party member remained important to the success of the APC.
He assured stakeholders that all complaints had been noted, promising: “We will come up with plans so that everyone will benefit, by the grace of Allah. Whoever has something in his heart should be patient.”
