07/10/2026
GOVERNOR DAUDA LAWAL'S N20 BILLION PER LGA CLAIM: A TALE OF NUMBERS WITHOUT EVIDENCE NDC DEMANDS FULL PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Zamfara State Chapter, under the leadership of it's chairman, Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, has carefully listened to Governor Dauda Lawal's repeated claim that his administration has executed over N20 billion worth of projects in each of the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. We have also taken note of the response from the Governor's media aide, who dismissed demands for accountability as "politically motivated."
We in the NDC do not speak in riddles. We do not hide behind media aides. We are not afraid of accountability. And we will not be silenced by insults. The people of Zamfara deserve leaders who are transparent, truthful, and accountable—not those who treat serious questions as mere political distractions.
The Governor made a public claim. The people of Zamfara have a right to know if that claim is true. N20 billion multiplied by 14 Local Government Areas equals N280 billion. That is an extraordinary sum of money in a state where citizens are still waiting for basic roads, functional hospitals, and safe schools. In a state where bandits kill with impunity, where families are still mourning the victims of Bindin, and where our people are languishing in captivity, we are told that N280 billion has been spent on projects that no one can see, touch, or verify. This is not just questionable; it is deeply insulting to the intelligence of every Zamfara citizen.
We therefore put the following questions directly to Governor Dauda Lawal, and we expect him to answer them publicly, not through press aides, not through proxies, and not through dismissive statements:
First, we call on the Governor to explain to the public, LGA by LGA, the exact amount each of the 14 Local Government Areas has received as Federal Allocation from June 2023 to date. We expect him to provide the exact figures, month by month, from the Federation Account Allocation Committee. Let the people see the money that came in. Let the people compare what came in with what the Governor claims to have spent. Let there be full transparency. The people of Zamfara are not asking for too much; they are asking for what is rightfully theirs the truth about their own resources.
Second, we call on the Governor to explain which specific projects consumed N20 billion in each Local Government Area. We do not want general statements about "road networks, education, and healthcare." We want the names of the projects, their exact locations, their costs, their contractors, their commencement dates, and their current status. In how many of the 14 LGAs has the Governor personally visited these projects? In how many LGAs can the people point to a single completed project worth N20 billion? The Governor must stop speaking in figures and start showing the people the work. A government that cannot show its work has no work to show. We also want to know which of these projects were executed by the Governor's administration alone and which ones were done by NG Care, Agile, and other international donors. Because all the renovated schools and hospitals we see in Zamfara were renovated by NG Care and Agile. We want to know the exact projects that consumed N20 billion projects that these donors had no hand in, projects that only the government executed. Your Excellency, kindly clarify this for the people of Zamfara.
Third, if the Governor believes he awarded contracts worth N20 billion for each Local Government Area, then he should call the contractors to explain to the public how they spent N20 billion in each LGA. Let the contractors come forward. Let them show us the sites. Let them show us the bills. Let them show us the receipts. The people of Zamfara deserve to hear directly from those who collected their money. If the projects are real, there is nothing to hide. If the contractors are proud of their work, they should have no fear in facing the public. But if they cannot come forward, then the Governor must explain why.
Fourth, the people of Zamfara from various Local Government Areas have reacted and said they have seen no work worth N20 billion in their areas. We have heard from Maru, from Anka, from Bukkuyum, from Zurmi, from Bakura, from Talata Mafara, from Gummi, and from other LGAs. Citizens are asking: where are the projects? Where is the evidence? The Governor must answer them. The people are not blind. They are not foolish. They know their communities. They know when they have been deceived. They know when they are being told tales by moonlight.
Fifth, we ask the Governor: if N280 billion was truly spent across the 14 LGAs, why is our education system—from primary to secondary in a state of total collapse? There are many public schools in Zamfara, yet there is no quality education. If there were quality education, why would a headmaster enroll his own children in a private school and refuse to enroll them in the very school where he is the headmaster? What does this tell us? It tells us that even the headmaster knows there is no quality education in his own school. The same applies to secondary schools. A vice principal can enroll his children in private schools and refuse to enroll them in the school where he is working. What does this tell us? It tells us that both primary and secondary education in Zamfara have totally collapsed. The problem of collapsing primary education is a problem of leadership, a problem of priorities, and a problem of accountability. If the leaders cannot trust the schools they run, how can the ordinary citizens trust them? Where did the money go? The Governor must explain.
The NDC will not remain silent while public resources are shrouded in mystery. We will not be intimidated by labels of "political motivation." Accountability is not a political weapon; it is the foundation of good governance. Any government that cannot explain how it spent N280 billion of public money has no moral standing to lecture anyone about constructive criticism. Any government that hides behind media aides instead of facing the people has already confessed its guilt. Any government that cannot account for public funds is a government that has lost the moral right to govern.
We are not asking for a favour. We are asking for what is rightfully ours as citizens of Zamfara State. We are asking for transparency. We are asking for truth. We are asking for evidence. We are asking for accountability. And we will not stop asking until we get answers. We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will not give up. The people of Zamfara deserve to know the truth, and we will continue to demand it.
Governor Lawal, the people of Zamfara are watching. The election is drawing nearer. You cannot continue to make claims that cannot be verified. You cannot continue to hide behind press statements while our people suffer. You cannot continue to count billions in the air while our primary and secondary schools have collapsed because teachers are not paid enough salaries, there are no teaching aids, and the entire system is in ruins. You cannot continue to claim glory while our people continue to bury their loved ones. You cannot continue to deceive the people with numbers that do not add up.
The NDC calls on all citizens of Zamfara to remain vigilant and to continue asking questions. Do not accept promises without proof. Do not accept numbers without evidence. Do not accept leadership without accountability. And when the time comes, use your power—the power of the ballot to demand the leadership you deserve. Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power. Use it wisely.
The NDC stands with the people of Zamfara. We will continue to demand accountability. We will continue to speak truth to power. We will continue to fight for justice. And we will not be silenced.
Signed,
Kassim Almustapha Kayatawa
Zamfara State Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC)
