Matawalle Denies Leaving Zamfara Empty Treasury, Unveils Handover Assets
Matawalle Counters Lawal's Void-Treasury Assertion, Discloses Real Financial Status
In a heated exchange, Zamfara's former governor Bello Matawalle refuted Governor Dauda Lawal's allegation that he left behind a depleted treasury with just ₦4 million. Matawalle's predecessor made these claims during an appearance on Arise News.
However, in a public address, Matawalle, through his former Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, revealed some impressive figures. He claimed that the Matawalle administration handed over ₦14 billion in bond proceeds, ₦2.6 billion in World Bank funds, and several other grants totaling close to ₦42 billion to the new administration.
Dosara pushed back on Lawal's accusations, stating that the average monthly allocation under Matawalle's government was ₦3.2 billion, which he deemed insufficient to meet the ₦2.1 billion monthly wage bill. Dosara also dismissed claims of 4.5 months of unpaid salaries, asserting that only three months' worth were owed, and blamed payment delays on threats from Lawal to the banks.
Matawalle further criticized the current administration's handling of security, pointing to recent attacks and abductions. He accused Lawal of misrepresenting the state's progress, citing issues such as non-payment of WAEC and NECO fees, incomplete road projects, and poor implementation of the minimum wage.
In response to Lawal's allegations, Matawalle's camp also accused the current administration of focusing on political vendettas over actual governance [3][4][5]. The Zamfara Elders Support for Peace and Development (ZESPD) has also condemned Lawal's claims as baseless, while criticizing his administration's handling of water shortages, collapsed healthcare facilities, and dilapidated schools [4].
*** Insider's Take: The Political Battle Continues in Zamfara State ****** Tinubu's Critics are Seeking Attention, Not Change - Minister*** Zamfara: The Dangerous Game of Political Blame*** Elders Condemn Misrepresentation of Zamfara's Progress by Governor Lawal*** Corruption Allegations in Zamfara: A Perspective
- Despite Governor Dauda Lawal's allegation that Bello Matawalle left an empty treasury with just ₦4 million, Matawalle's former Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, revealed a different picture.
- In a public address, Dosara stated that the Matawalle administration handed over ₦14 billion in bond proceeds, ₦2.6 billion in World Bank funds, and approximately ₦42 billion in other grants to the new administration.
- Dosara also defended the average monthly allocation under Matawalle's government, which was ₦3.2 billion, arguing that it was insufficient to meet the ₦2.1 billion monthly wage bill.
- He further dismissed claims of 4.5 months of unpaid salaries, asserting that only three months' worth were owed, blaming payment delays on threats from Lawal to the banks.
- Matawalle criticized Lawal's handling of security, pointing to recent attacks and abductions. He accused Lawal of misrepresenting the state's progress, citing issues such as non-payment of WAEC and NECO fees, incomplete road projects, and poor implementation of the minimum wage.
- Matawalle's camp also accused the current administration of focusing on political vendettas over actual governance, while the Zamfara Elders Support for Peace and Development (ZESPD) condemned Lawal's claims as baseless.
- The ZESPD also criticized Lawal's administration's handling of water shortages, collapsed healthcare facilities, and dilapidated schools.
- In the midst of the political blame game, Tinubu's critics are seeking attention, not change, according to a minister, as the political battle continues in Zamfara state.
