Tom Garba
In the face of persistent security challenges, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has emerged as a beacon of transformative leadership, steering the state toward unprecedented development across multiple sectors while resolutely affirming his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a recent statement, Lawal dismissed calls from his predecessor, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring, “The PDP made me who I am, and I will remain with the party.”
Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Lawal has defied the odds in Zamfara, a state long plagued by banditry and economic hardship.
The PDP made me who I am, and I will remain with the party
His administration’s bold reforms and strategic investments have sparked a renaissance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development, earning him accolades as the “Architect of Modern Zamfara” and the “Rescue Commander.”
Despite the shadow of insecurity, Lawal’s leadership has delivered tangible dividends of democracy, transforming the state’s trajectory and restoring hope to its people.
Governor Lawal inherited a state in disarray, with a dysfunctional system, a treasury reportedly holding only N4 million, and rampant insecurity that rendered entire communities vulnerable. Undeterred, he launched an ambitious reform agenda that has revitalized Zamfara’s socio-economic landscape.
Roads and villages that were once unreachable due to banditry are now accessible
In just two years, his administration has made remarkable strides, as highlighted in a recent analysis by Zagazola Makama, which praised Lawal’s “landmark development across sectors.”
In infrastructure, Lawal’s government has prioritized road construction and rehabilitation, opening up previously inaccessible rural areas. “Roads and villages that were once unreachable due to banditry are now accessible,” Lawal declared during a peace dialogue organized to mark his second anniversary in office.
His administration is also fast-tracking the completion of the Gusau International Airport, a project aimed at attracting investors and boosting economic activity.
Lawal emphasized that the airport, set to be operational within four months, will be funded without borrowing, a testament to his prudent financial management.
Education has been a cornerstone of Lawal’s agenda. His administration cleared a backlog of unpaid WAEC and NECO fees, enabling Zamfara students to sit for national examinations and access their results—a move that has restored educational opportunities for thousands of youths.
Additionally, Lawal has invested in school renovations and teacher training to address the state’s historically low educational rankings.
In healthcare, Lawal’s government has revitalized primary healthcare centers and equipped hospitals, improving access to quality medical services in rural areas.
His economic policies have also unlocked new revenue streams, with plans to harness Zamfara’s abundant solid mineral deposits following the Federal Government’s lifting of a mining ban. “We are engaging investors to develop this sector,” Lawal said on Channels Television’s Politics Today, signaling a potential economic boom for the state.
We are engaging investors to develop this sector
Confronting Insecurity with Resolve
Zamfara remains one of Nigeria’s most insecure states, with banditry and kidnappings posing significant challenges.
Yet, Lawal has taken a firm stance against negotiating with criminals, instead rallying behind the Nigerian military’s sustained offensive actions.
“We will not negotiate with terror-bandits,” he reiterated on Channels TV Sunday Politics, pledging full support for federal security efforts. At a recent peace dialogue, Lawal claimed significant progress, noting that his administration’s collaboration with security agencies has improved safety in areas once considered bandit strongholds.
Critics, including Matawalle, have accused Lawal of not doing enough to combat insecurity. However, Lawal’s supporters, including his spokesperson Sulaiman Kaura, counter that the governor does not control security agencies, which fall under federal jurisdiction.
It is shameful for APC members to shift all blame to Governor Lawal, knowing full well he does not command the security agencies
“It is shameful for APC members to shift all blame to Governor Lawal, knowing full well he does not command the security agencies,” Kaura said, crediting Lawal with remarkable success in reducing banditry’s impact.
Political Resilience and PDP Loyalty
Amid his governance achievements, Lawal has faced political pressure from the APC, particularly from Matawalle, who publicly urged him to “stop playing hide-and-seek” and join the ruling party.
Matawalle claimed that defection would accelerate Zamfara’s development, citing his own tenure as governor and current role in the Tinubu administration. Lawal, however, unequivocally rejected the call, reaffirming his commitment to the PDP.
“Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has insisted he will remain in the Peoples Democratic Party where he was elected as the fifth civilian governor of the state,” reported Punch Newspapers.
Lawal’s loyalty to the PDP, which he credits for his political rise, underscores his principled stance against opportunism.
His victory over Matawalle in the 2023 elections, upheld by the Supreme Court, marked a historic moment as Zamfara’s first PDP governor.
Despite accusations from APC groups that Lawal is orchestrating protests against Matawalle, the governor has focused on governance, dismissing such claims as political distractions.
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