GUSAU — In a blistering critique of the Presidency, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has alleged that his state is being systematically starved of federal intervention funds because he refuses to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a candid interview with DW Hausa on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Governor claimed that while some APC-controlled states have received over ₦500 billion each in special aid and palliatives, Zamfara has been left to fend for itself.
The “Political Bias” Allegation
Governor Lawal, who ousted the APC in a major upset in 2023, was unequivocal in his belief that the lack of support from the President Bola Tinubu administration is a calculated move to frustrate his government.
“I personally believe it’s because I’m not an APC governor,” Lawal stated in Hausa. “I’m a member of the PDP — an opposition party. They don’t support people like us. I know some states have received over ₦500 billion from the federal government, but we haven’t received anything yet.”
Despite the alleged “bottleneck,” the Governor insisted he would not “betray” the people of Zamfara by jumping ship to the APC just to secure federal handouts.
“No Loans, No Debts”—The State’s Survival Strategy
Contrary to claims of financial distress, Lawal declared that his administration has not taken a single local or international loan since he assumed office. He maintained that the state is paying salaries and executing major infrastructure projects solely through the prudent management of its monthly federal allocations and internally generated revenue.
“We are using the resources we have to pay workers and implement developmental activities,” he noted, citing the ongoing “Urban Renewal Project” in Gusau as evidence.
“Playing the Victim”—Nigerians and APC Fire Back
The Governor’s claims have triggered a wave of sharp criticism, with the Zamfara State Chapter of the APC and many Nigerians on social media accusing him of “playing the victim” to cover up administrative lapses.
- “Lack of Transparency”: Critics on X (formerly Twitter) have blasted the Governor for failing to provide proof of the alleged “₦500 billion” aid given to other states. “Where did he get this figure from? It sounds like political sensationalism,” one popular analyst noted.
- The “Budget of 10”: The APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, recently accused the Governor of illegality, claiming the state’s ₦861 billion 2026 budget was presented to only 10 members of the House of Assembly—far below the required two-thirds majority.
- Politicizing Insecurity: Nigerians expressed frustration that the Governor is trading words with Abuja while bandits continue to terrorize rural Zamfara. “Instead of crying about ₦500 billion, why hasn’t he shared the intelligence he claims to have on bandit kingpins with the military?” a resident of Tsafe queried.
The “Security Trust Fund” Standoff
While the Governor laments the lack of aid, he has allocated significant billions in the 2026 Budget of Stability for the Community Protection Guards to fill the gap left by what he describes as “slow federal security responses.”
As the standoff between Gusau and Abuja continues, Lawal maintains that he will “wait to see what happens in the end,” vowing to continue his agenda even if the “APC-only” support he alleges remains out of reach.
