The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to directly respond to the allegations made by Governor Dauda Lawal against Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Haliru Andi, criticized the APC for deflecting from the critical issues raised by Governor Lawal, instead focusing on attacking him for highlighting the mismanagement under the APC’s rule.
The PDP’s call for a direct response from the APC centers on several allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and neglect under Matawalle’s administration. According to the PDP, the APC has repeatedly dodged these pressing concerns, failing to provide accountability for the actions that took place during Matawalle’s tenure as governor.
One of the primary accusations from the PDP is Matawalle’s alleged mishandling of state funds. The party claimed that Matawalle left only four million Naira in the state treasury for Governor Dauda Lawal, despite receiving substantial allocations from the Federal Government. The PDP also criticized Matawalle for leaving a three-month backlog of salaries for civil servants, a failure they described as deliberate and unjustifiable.
Education was another key area of concern highlighted by the PDP. The party alleged that during Matawalle’s four years in office, his government did not pay for NECO and WAEC registration fees, leaving students without the opportunity to sit for crucial exams. This neglect, they argued, had devastating consequences for the children’s future, as many were left roaming the streets without any prospects for continuing their education.
Further allegations of unpaid pensions and gratuities were also raised by the PDP. According to their statement, Matawalle’s administration failed to pay over 13.6 billion Naira in pensions and gratuities owed to retired civil servants. This failure to fulfill the government’s obligations, they claimed, led to immense suffering and even loss of life among retirees who had devoted years of service to the state.
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The PDP also accused Matawalle of failing to pay electricity bills for the state, which resulted in the disconnection of power to key facilities, including government offices. The capital city, Gusau, reportedly suffered from a five-month water shortage due to the government’s inability to settle electricity bills that were essential for water treatment.
Other accusations against Matawalle included neglect of students on foreign scholarships, who were stranded when the government failed to pay their tuition and living expenses, and the alleged illegal sale of government properties in Gada Biu and Kaduna. Additionally, hospitals across the state, including those in the hometowns of former governors, were left in dire condition, further underscoring the widespread neglect under the APC-led government.
Perhaps the most significant accusation brought forward by the PDP is the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into a 70-billion Naira corruption case involving Matawalle. This investigation, the PDP argued, highlights the critical need for accountability and transparency in governance.
The PDP expressed confidence in Governor Dauda Lawal’s leadership, praising his efforts in resolving many of the issues left behind by Matawalle. According to the PDP, within just one year, Governor Lawal has addressed many of these challenges and demonstrated a commitment to providing good governance.
In their concluding remarks, the PDP called on the APC to either deny the allegations or offer a public apology to the people of Zamfara. The PDP emphasized that the people of the state deserve transparency, accountability, and clarity on these matters, and they vowed to continue advocating for justice on behalf of all Zamfara citizens.
The PDP’s statement reflects a growing demand for honest governance and accountability in Zamfara State, a call that they argue cannot be ignored. The allegations against Matawalle, if true, represent a deep failure of leadership, and the APC must address these issues directly rather than evading responsibility.
