By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has come under fire for distributing N50 million to former governors and deputy governors of the state in the spirit of Ramadan. The Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State, Abubakar Nakwada, disclosed that former Governor Ahmed Rufai Sani Bakura received N15 million, while former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi also got N15 million. Former deputy governors, Muktar Ahmed Anka and Ibrahim Wakala Muhammad, each received N10 million.
However, sources suggest that the payments were made to garner political support, particularly from opposition figures. The distribution has sparked criticism from residents, who are struggling with widespread poverty and hunger in Zamfara State. Many are surprised that former Governor Bakura, who introduced Sharia law in Zamfara and Nigeria, would accept such a sum in a time of hardship.
Some residents recalled that former Governor Bakura had amputated a man convicted of stealing, and now he is receiving money he never worked for, which they consider equal to stealing. "Those claiming to be in other political parties are undermining their integrity by accepting such payments. They have shown they cannot be trusted," one resident remarked.
Another resident expressed disbelief over Bakura's involvement, saying, "It's shocking that former Governor Bakura, who introduced Sharia in Zamfara and Nigeria, would accept money when the people of the state are suffering from extreme poverty and hunger." Some residents claimed that this is against Sharia law and the beneficiaries should be subjected to the law accordingly.
The State Commissioner for Budget, Abdulmalik Gajam, who is also a son-in-law to former Governor Bakura, confirmed the transactions in an informal gathering. The distribution of the funds has raised questions about the use of public funds for political purposes, especially in a state struggling with poverty and hunger.
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