Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has vehemently denied allegations circulating in an online publication, asserting that he expended over N400 million on foreign trips. The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, rebuffed these claims, branding them as a deliberate act by mischievous entities aimed at diverting attention from governance matters.
In a statement released on Thursday, Idris clarified that the reported expenses were incorrectly attributed due to the misinterpretation of budgetary data, stressing that the periods cited—First, Second, and Third Quarters—fell under the previous administration’s tenure.
Idris emphasized the governor’s commitment to transparency and accountability, pointing out that comprehensive details of spending could be accessed on the Zamfara State Government’s official website.
The statement clarified, “Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has only undertaken three official foreign trips since assuming office on May 29, 2023.” These trips included attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, and a meeting with the President of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Idris further clarified that the Kigali retreat was fully sponsored by the UNDP, negating any expenses borne by the state government. The expenses attributed to the UNGA in the United States and the Northwest Governor’s Meeting with the President of AfDB in Abidjan constituted the only financial outlays incurred during these official trips.
Moreover, the statement refuted claims of the administration’s expenditure on private security services and the allocation of funds for Ramadan fasting and Eid-el-Fitr (Sallah) gifts, which were inaccurately attributed to the present government.
Governor Lawal’s administration reiterated its commitment to transparency, assuring the citizens of Zamfara State of unwavering dedication to fulfilling promises made for positive governance and advancement. The administration remains resolute in its comprehensive rescue mission for the state, undeterred by misinformation propagated against it.
