A former aide to ex-Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has challenged Governor Dauda Lawal’s assertions that the state’s treasury was empty when he assumed office, describing the claim as misleading and politically motivated.
Comrade Anas Abdullahi Kaura, who served as Special Adviser on Urban and Regional Planning under Matawalle, insisted that over N25.9 billion was left in government accounts as of May 2023.
In a statement released in Abuja, Kaura said Governor Lawal was distorting facts to smear his predecessor’s record.
Describing Lawal as a “pathological liar,” Kaura accused the current administration of attempting to rewrite financial records and deceive the public. He said the funds were not only available but documented, urging the governor to publish any counter-evidence he may have.
Lawal had made the controversial statement during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, in which he claimed to have inherited only N4 million in the state’s coffers along with extensive debt and systemic collapse.
He characterized Zamfara as being in “complete disarray,” with dysfunctional institutions and a humanitarian crisis across multiple sectors.
In response, Kaura reiterated his accusation, again labeling Lawal a “pathological liar” and suggesting that the governor was deliberately misrepresenting the facts to portray Matawalle’s administration in a negative light.
Kaura presented what he said was a financial breakdown of the funds left by the previous government, including N2.65 billion in the ACRESAL account, N14.33 billion in bond balances, N6.3 billion in UBE grants, and N2.7 billion in NG-Cares funds.
“If he claims he met only N4 million, where did he get the money to pay workers and offset debts as he boasted during the interview?” Kaura questioned.
He also criticized Governor Lawal’s leadership approach, accusing him of prioritizing appearances and travel over governance.
The former aide cited persistent insecurity, unpaid salaries, and increasing hardship among residents as signs of failure, and said students were being pushed out of school due to lack of support.
“His counterparts, like Uba Sani in Kaduna and the Sokoto State governor, are commissioning projects, while he is busy flying to Abuja and abroad, enjoying himself,” Kaura said.
Defending his former boss, who is now Minister of State for Defence, Kaura said Matawalle was fully engaged in his federal responsibilities and unconcerned by what he called baseless accusations.
“How can anyone with a right sense of reasoning believe a governor would leave just N4 million in the state account? Lawal has turned himself into a laughingstock,” he added.
