Zamfara lawmakers question ₦9bn hospital renovation and demand answers on subsidy, NG-CARES funds.
They accuse Governor Lawal of neglecting security and warn of possible impeachment over inaction.
A faction of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Bashar Gummi, has strongly criticized the N9 billion allocated for the renovation of the Yariman Bakura Teaching Hospital in Gusau, describing it as an outrageous misuse of public funds.
The lawmakers, during a plenary session held Thursday in the state capital, questioned how a facility initially built and completed by past administrations at around N1 billion could require nine times that amount for what they described as “mere painting.”
They also demanded clarity on the utilization of over N200 billion reportedly received by the state government from the federal allocation distributed to states following the removal of fuel subsidy. The federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, had released N20 billion monthly to each state for ten months to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
The lawmakers further raised concerns over the disbursement of N49 billion from the NG-CARES program. This initiative, intended to empower 250 youths in each of the 147 wards across Zamfara, was funded following a N2.6 billion counterpart contribution made by former Governor Bello Matawalle before leaving office in 2023. The Assembly demanded transparency on how the funds were spent.
They issued a two-week ultimatum for Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to provide detailed explanations regarding these funds. Failure to do so, they warned, could lead to impeachment proceedings.
On security, members of the Assembly expressed frustration with what they described as the governor’s failure to address the growing insecurity in the state. Hon. Aliyu Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South, lamented that traveling on key roads, including Gusau-Marau-Talata Mafara, had become extremely dangerous at any hour.
Kagara recounted a recent incident in Morai community where kidnappers collected a N17 million ransom from villagers but failed to release the abductees. He criticized the government’s silence on such incidents, accusing it of indifference.
The lawmakers acknowledged the establishment of Community Protection Guards but lamented that many of the guards were being killed without any visible support or response from the government.
During the heated session, Hon. Nasiru Maru of Maru North called for the introduction of free education and scholarships for Zamfara indigenes to uplift local youths. Meanwhile, Hon. Ibrahim Tudu Tukur of Bakura Constituency went further, urging fellow legislators to pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Lawal, whom he accused of failing in his duty to protect lives and property.
Tukur alleged that the administration had deepened division and mistrust among citizens and was attempting to undermine the influence of religious leaders, particularly the state’s Ulama Council.
The lawmakers concluded by calling for urgent and sincere action from the state executive to address insecurity, financial transparency, and public trust or risk facing serious legislative consequences.
