A war of words erupted on Sunday between the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress and Governor Dauda Lawal over the persistent insecurity plaguing the state.
Tensions between the ruling administration and the opposition escalated after the Zamfara APC accused Governor Lawal of failing to fulfil a key campaign promise—ending bandit attacks within the first three months of his tenure.
The party’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the governor had let residents down, pointing out that criminal activities, including kidnappings and killings, had worsened.
“Governor Lawal must be preparing to celebrate his second year anniversary with a failed promise which he made during his governorship campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections,” Idris stated.
Idris said the governor was not taking the security crisis seriously, often being absent from the state during critical periods. He alleged that Governor Lawal was prioritising travel over leadership, at a time when communities were under frequent attack by armed groups.
The APC also questioned the truth behind the governor’s earlier claims that victims of bandit attacks were receiving free treatment in government-owned hospitals. According to Idris, many victims were being denied care due to a lack of funds.
“I personally visited Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, where victims were turned away because they couldn’t pay,” Idris added.
He urged the governor to release a verified list of people who had received free treatment, complete with names, treatment locations, medical costs, and official hospital receipts.
In response, the governor’s aide, Mustafa Kaura, dismissed the APC’s accusations, calling them “baseless and unfounded.” He said the government had made major strides in tackling insecurity in Zamfara since assuming office.
“Everybody knows that Governor Dauda Lawal is recording remarkable success in the fight against banditry,” Kaura said. “During Governor Matawalle’s tenure, many towns were almost deserted. Today, people are returning to their communities.”
Kaura noted that recent efforts like the hiring of local vigilante groups and increased security funding had helped reduce attacks in some areas. He reminded the opposition that the current Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, is a former Zamfara governor and member of the APC—suggesting that responsibility for national security lies with both parties.
He accused the APC of playing politics with people’s lives and diverting attention from the real issues by blaming Governor Lawal alone.
“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.
