Dauda Lawal

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Zamfara State has a sweet-bitter story: massive reserves of mineral resources, including gold, iron ore, granite, limestone, chromate, etc., but illegal mining of gold and other minerals has led to making the state and its neighbours one of the hotspots of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria.

Zamfara occupies a very important spot in the history of northern Nigeria, being one of the regions in the old Hausa Kingdoms and one of the roots of the Usman Danfodio Jihad of 1804, but its current story is mostly associated with senseless insecurity and bad news.

Zamfara has produced some prominent people who have served Nigeria and humanity well, but nowadays, one cannot talk of misgovernance in northern Nigeria without also pointing at Zamfara state as well.

One cannot talk of the rich culture and important towns in northern Nigeria without mentioning Zamfara. Zamfara hosts some prominent towns in northern Nigeria: Gusau, Kauran Namoda, Anka, Gummi, Talata Mafara, etc.

Some 12 years ago, Zamfara State began to have its fair share of banditry and poverty in Northern Nigeria. There are 8.33 million out-of-school children in northwest Nigeria; when Governor Dauda Lawal took over the state’s affairs, Zamfara accounted for a significant number of this figure. Insecurity, kidnapping, and school closures are some of the factors responsible for the increase in the number of out-of-school children.

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, the people of Zamfara boldly moved away from the past—it was not only surprising, but it shocked the polity. In the presidential election, the Zamfara people voted for the All Progressive Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu won the state, but in the gubernatorial election, Zamfarawa voted against the ruling APC in the state; they voted for something entirely new.

But why did the Zamfara people, for the first time in 24 years, massively vote for something outside their traditional trajectory? And why the unnecessary distraction against Governor Dauda Lawal by former Governor Bello Mutawalle and co.? First, let’s look at the man, Dauda Lawal: He is a new-breed politician but an experienced technocrat—someone who is completely outside the ‘system’ borrowing from the language of politicians.

Governor Dauda twice contested the Zamfara PDP gubernatorial primary election and won it twice with a wide margin, beating all his opponents. He is the only gubernatorial candidate whose election was challenged twice in the court of law, but he prevailed. Dauda Lawal spent over 25 years in banking, reaching an Executive Director position at the First Bank. He has over 26 years of post-qualification experience, which covers commercial and public sector banking.

So why the distraction Governor Dauda is facing now when he is trying to tackle insecurity, poverty, out-of-school children, misgovernance, etc.? Recently, there were some shocking revelations from the Zamfara state government: the Zamfara cargo airport and the uncompleted governor’s lodge in the 14 local government areas of the state. Documents released by the Zamfara state government showed that former Governor Bello Matawalle approved the release of over one billion naira for the fencing, landscaping, and furnishing of the governor’s lodge in 14 local areas even before the projects began.

Similarly, the Zamfara state government also released some documents showing that Matawalle has also embezzled over N4.5 billion from the abandoned Zamfara Airport Project, describing the project as a scam and citing what it called dubious transactions. However, Matawalle has denied all the accusations and said that he inherited the Cargo Airport Project from the previous government, saying all the allegations against him were nothing but calculated mischief and diversionary tactics by Governor Dauda Lawal’s government.

In every story, there are three sides: the two sides of the story and the truth, but the truth must be from one of the two sides. But questions need to be asked. Why did the Zamfara people opt for something new and someone ‘fresh’ in the 2023 gubernatorial election? Why did misgovernance and insecurity stay in Zamfara before now? Why is the current government of Zamfara State facing unnecessary distraction? Why is the opposition to the current Zamfara government oiled from the outside of the state, but the masses are supporting the government? The answer to all these questions is likely one: Governor Dauda Lawal seems to have found the silver bullet to solve Zamfara’s headaches: insecurity, poverty, misgovernance, and corruption. If Governor Dauda Lawal succeeds, many people will not only be out of politics but will also be out of the sights and minds of the Zamfara masses, thus the needless distraction to stop Governor Dauda Lawal.

A look at what happened and is happening in Zamfara State: it is obvious that the Zamfara local people’s worldview on governance has changed; they are thirsty for a new beginning free from banditry, corruption, poverty, and mismanagement of the state’s resources, but they also value accountability, inclusivity, responsiveness, and transparency in their aspirations and needs.

Governor Dauda Lawal promised them during his campaign that he would leverage his experience as a technocrat, technology, and people for efficient service delivery and prioritise sustainability and immediate local needs, not white elephant projects. He also promised to face the bandits head-on while protecting human rights and addressing the challenges that birthed insecurity. Thus, many public analysts are of the view that former Governor Bello Mutawalle should have used his current position as Minister of State Defence to work with Governor Dauda Lawal to tackle the security challenges in the state, not unnecessarily distracting the Governor.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the Federal Government to conduct an urgent and comprehensive investigation into undisclosed negotiations with bandits in Zamfara. 

Reports have surfaced indicating that federal government agencies were engaging in talks with bandit groups in the state without the state government’s knowledge. 

In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Monday Governor Lawal expressed deep concern over these negotiations, which conflict with the state’s strategy against banditry. 

The governor reasserted Zamfara’s unwavering stance against negotiating with criminals. 

The Zamfara State Government is resolute and “will not negotiate with these criminals,” Governor Lawal declared. 

He further urged the Federal Government to terminate these secret negotiations promptly, citing their potential to undermine progress in the fight against banditry.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Zamfara State Government has on Saturday issued a ban on illegal mining activities as one of the measures to curtail the lingering security challenges bedevilling the state over the years. 

Governor Dauda Lawal, in a statement by his spokeswoman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, also ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators. 

It was gathered that Zamfara State is one of the epicentres of banditry and kidnapping that have displaced hundreds and widowed hundreds more, as well as taken the lives of thousands of innocent souls over the years. 

The Daily Reality gathered that illegal mining in Zamfara State has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities. 

The governor was said to have noted that “it is time to end this destructive activity and implement measures to protect the safety and well-being of the people.” 

He stressed that security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot at anyone found engaging in illegal mining. 

He said: “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts. 

“It is also a swift action to enable the State Government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people. 

“Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara State. We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities,” he added.

By Aisar Fagge

Dauda Lawal, a governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday held Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state to a standstill as thousands of his supporters defied security threats to attend his mega rally.

Lawal held the maiden rally after an Appeal Court in Sokoto reinstated him as the PDP governorship candidate, following the nullification of his primary election by a High Court in Gusau.

Thousands of the PDP supporters, from virtually all the 14 Local Government areas of the APC controlled state thronged Gusau to express their support to the party’s flagbearer.

It was observed that Gusau wore a new look on Monday following the huge crowd of the PDP faithful that graced the rally.

Business activities had been paralysed in Gusau as the crowd caused traffic gridlock around the city, especially on the roads leading to the venue of the rally.

Addressing the mammoth crowd when he arrived at the venue on open van, the PDP candidate promised to restore peace in the state ravaged by the activities of bandits.

He also pledged to improve economy, education, health and agriculture in the state.

According to him, Zamfara needs a robust and effective leadership to be revived, especially with the current insecurity bidevelling the state, noting that only PDP has the wherewithal to achieve that.

“Today is a historic day. Today true democracy is being played. We are overwhelmed with this massive crowd. This show that people of Zamfara are ready and want change.

“We will not let you down. We will not disappoint you. You know we impacted your life even when we are out in power. If you elect us, we will do better.

“If you elect me as your governor, i will ensure security is restored in our dear state. We have mechanism and strategies to achieve that.

“I will improve security, health, economy and agriculture, the glory of our state. We will restore our farming activities by God’s grace,” Lawal said.

Some of the PDP faithful that spoke to journalists said they would vote for Lawal because of his resolve to help the poor and the vulnerable.

They said the candidate had impacted the life of many of the people of Zamfara, especially the downtrodden.

“This man, has never been in power but he is doing what even the government is not doing. He helps orphans, widows, physically challenge, executed many projects in communities.

“This man has offered scholarships to hundreds of students, offered empowerment to women and youths, no wonder you see this massive crowd,” said Adamu Nuhu, a PDP supporter.

Another party’s stalwart, Mairo Magaji, said she came from Shinkafi to witness the rally because of what Lawal is doing to people.

She said she has reserved her vote for him in order to support him attain power to continue serving the people of the state.