Zamfara Gov Accuses FG of Withholding Intervention Funds while APC States Got N500bn
Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, has alleged that the administration of Bola Tinubu is distributing about N500 billion in intervention funds to states governed by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle Hausa, Mr Lawal lamented that Zamfara had not received any federal intervention funds since he assumed office in 2023.
He suggested that the exclusion may be linked to his membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The Federal Government has never disbursed any intervention fund to Zamfara State unlike other states. I have it on good authority that some states have received over N500 billion from the Federal Government, but my state has not received a single kobo. I believe it is because I am not in the same party as them. I am in an opposition party,” he said.
Mr Lawal, the only governor in the North-West not elected on the APC platform, maintained that his administration has continued to execute projects despite the alleged lack of extra federal support.
“Since I became governor in 2023, apart from the allocation we are entitled to, the Federal Government has not given us any additional intervention. But that has not stopped us from doing our best to execute projects for the betterment of our people,” he added.
He also stated that his government has not taken any new loans, noting that the state is still servicing debts incurred by the previous administration.
“I have never borrowed any loan to run our state, not even one cent. Every month, N1.2 billion is deducted before the money is sent to us,” Mr Lawal said.
When asked about the possibility of leaving the PDP amid its internal crisis, the governor ruled out defecting to another party.
“As a Muslim, I believe only God gives power, no one else. I can’t betray my party just because we have internal issues. I will do my best to see the end of this issue we are facing.
“I can’t make that decision alone. I have to consult with my supporters before taking such a step. But if the PDP is fixed, then there will be no reason for me to move to any party,” he said.
