INTERVIEW: God will decide my fate in 2027 – Gov Lawal

Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, in this interview, speaks on the security measures his administration has deployed to secure the state, his vision for the state in the next two years, his second term bid and crisis in the PDP, among others. Excerpts:

In the last few days, you have been commissioning one project and the other. Can you tell us more about this?

It’s a pleasure to have you here, and I’m glad you are seeing things for yourself. As you mentioned, we have had a series of projects commissioned. On Monday, the minister commissioned the Ministry of Women Affairs building — fully reconstructed and furnished — along with renovated classrooms and hostels at the College of Arts and Science. Yesterday, former President Obasanjo commissioned the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, which we completely rebuilt. This is the first time Zamfara is witnessing such transformation, especially in the health sector. In December 2023, after visiting various hospitals — especially in Gusau, I was shocked by their condition. That led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector on December 31, 2023.

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I set up a team of experts to assess health facilities across all local government areas. Their findings called for urgent action. We started in Nasarawa town by transforming a primary health centre into a full general hospital — the first of such in Zamfara. We repeated this process in Maradun, Maru, Kauran Namoda, and Buzu, where I was born. We ensured each of these hospitals was equipped with state-of-the-art technology and backed by solar power to ensure 24/7 functionality.

The most significant milestone so far is the hospital commissioned by Obasanjo. We installed brand-new equipment, including the latest CT scan and MRI machines — the best in the country. Obasanjo was amazed. We now have a full radiology unit capable of delivering results within minutes.

Are more projects coming?

Absolutely. Within two months, we will commission new general hospitals in Sifawa and Fifi. These are entirely new buildings. I visited one of the old general hospitals and was appalled. No human person would allow even an animal to be treated there. That was when I knew it truly was a rescue mission. But it’s not just about structures. We also need trained personnel. To attract them, we reviewed doctors’ salaries to match the federal level. Buildings without manpower are useless. We are also investing in capacity-building. We have upgraded two nursing schools — one in Tsafe and the other in Birnin Magaji — adding new classrooms, hostels, lecture theatres, and modern teaching equipment. We are preparing professionals in areas like dentistry, ENT, and general care.

My vision is to ensure no Zamfara citizen needs to leave the state for medical care. With what we are building, that is becoming a reality.

Let’s talk about security. When I planned this visit, I asked ChatGPT if it was safe to travel to Gusau, Zamfara State. The response was that travel here carries significant risks and is not recommended for non-essential trips. What is your view?

That is outdated information. The security narrative is changing. Things have improved significantly. You are a journalist — look at the data. Compare incidents of kidnapping and killings now to two years ago. The drop is clear.

We have made intentional efforts to combat insecurity, banditry, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. For a long time, just mentioning Zamfara would scare people. But you came by road from Zaria, what did you see? Farmers are back on their land, roads are busy, and people are moving freely.

When I assumed office, I knew we needed a new approach. That is why we created the Community Protection Guards (CPG). Over 3,000 men were recruited, trained by the military and DSS. Before recruitment, we passed legislation through the State Assembly to make the group legal. The DSS also profiled every individual to ensure credibility. These guards now support conventional security agencies in maintaining order across the state.

Are you governor of former governors like Matawalle and Yari in Zamfara State?  And what is the guarantee they will allow you a second term?

Let me ask you, in 2023, weren’t all the big names in APC — Matawalle, Yari, their deputies — still in APC? I was the only one in PDP, yet here I am. That’s the will of God. I believe power comes from God. As for whether I’m the governor of Matawalle and Yari — yes, I am. I’m the governor of every Zamfara citizen. Our policies are for everyone, not just PDP members.

Are you worried about the North West becoming a one-party zone?

No. I’m not worried. I’m not desperate either. I’m contented. I’m PDP and I remain in PDP. If God says I will win again in 2027, no one can stop it. 

But PDP has internal crises, What is the solution?

Every party has issues. Ours will be resolved. We have a NEC meeting scheduled for the 30th. Yes, there are technical hitches, but they will be fixed. I’m part of the reconciliation committee chaired by Senator Bukola Saraki. We are working through things. Nothing is insurmountable.

Some say former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition is the party’s main problem. Do you agree?

Honestly, I don’t think it’s just about Atiku. The problems go beyond him. It’s an internal issue within the PDP, and we’re making efforts to resolve it. I think it’s about ego—everyone’s ego.

Do you believe Nigeria will ever witness free and fair elections?

Yes, I do. I experienced it in Zamfara. Despite all the powerful forces and federal might against me, I was elected. It was free and fair. And I believe it can happen again. It’s just a matter of time.

You earlier mentioned the Community Protection Guards (CPG). Can you explain how they were recruited and what their functions are?

After a careful screening, a list was presented, and we employed them based on that. We provided proper training on how to manage security situations and outlined their responsibilities. They are not meant to harm anyone—they are there to protect communities.

We recruited them from all local government areas because we believe in local solutions. Everything in Zamfara is local. There is no foreign intervention. These are our people, and they understand the terrain. Conventional security agencies also work with them because they know who these locals are, which helps operations.

They serve as the first line of defence. We have invested heavily—logistics, uniforms, kits, arms, vehicles—you name it. And I’m happy with the results. This initiative has restored hope to the people. There is a clear presence of government and security now. It’s an ongoing effort, and we are committed to sustaining it.

Why did things get so bad before you came on board? Also, what level of cooperation do you receive from conventional security agencies, and how does the fact that your predecessor is now the Minister of Defence affect your job?

First, let me make this clear: there is strong coordination between our Community Protection Guards and conventional security agencies—the military, police, civil defence, and the Air Force.

When I took office, I personally visited the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, and the NSA. I wanted to understand what the federal government was doing and identify areas for collaboration. My priority is to secure Zamfara, and I have received cooperation, though engagement must be ongoing because leadership in these agencies changes regularly.

As governor, I don’t just offer moral support; I assist financially, too. We provide fuel, logistics, and other resources to security agencies to help maintain law and order.

Regarding the Minister of Defence, yes, I have had meetings with him. I explained our situation, and he even visited Zamfara. We toured the affected areas together, and I believe he understands the gravity of the issues. His cooperation helps, but we must keep pushing. These security challenges have persisted for 13 years. We didn’t create them, but we inherited them and we must deal with them. 

What do you see as the root cause of this crisis?

It’s unfortunate, but we must be honest. We are one people—99.9% of Zamfara are Hausa-Fulani and predominantly Muslim. So why is this happening? From my investigation, it all started with a small misunderstanding between a Hausa man and a Fulani man. It wasn’t properly resolved, and one side felt justice was denied. In frustration, they attacked a village and killed two people, expecting the government to intervene. But nothing happened. That inaction emboldened them, and the crisis escalated.

Once a conflict like this is not quickly contained, it spirals. And sadly, most of the people affected are poor peasants, people with nothing. In the Niger Delta, militants fight over oil. Elsewhere, there are religious or ideological causes. But here, 99.9% of us share the same faith. What then are we fighting over?

We need to stop the blame game. As governor, it doesn’t matter if someone is in PDP, APC, or doesn’t support me. Everyone in Zamfara is under my care. My duty is to protect their lives and property. So I’m making conscious efforts, whatever it takes, to restore peace. It’s not easy, but we will keep at it.

Can you expand on the development plans you believe will help bring peace?

The truth is, most of these communities lack the basics – schools, water and healthcare. What does it cost to build a classroom? Or a borehole? It’s not much. So I told them, I will provide all of that, just give us peace.

We must invest in development if we want lasting security. My government is focused on providing these services. That is how we will change the narrative.

Security operations require funding, yet Zamfara gets one of the lowest federal allocations. How are you managing?

You are right. We get one of the least allocations. But security is our top priority, followed by education.

We have had to be resourceful. We fund all conventional security outfits in one way or another. We also support the CPG fully. Just last month, we bought 140 brand new operational vehicles—some bulletproof, and others —and distributed them to security agencies. I personally fund their fuel and operations. If I must spend 80% of our funds on peace, I will do it. People deserve to sleep with both eyes closed.

At the same time, we are working on boosting internal revenue. Zamfara is blessed with solid minerals, especially lithium, arguably the highest quality in the world. We are now formalising the mining sector, working with the federal government and private partners. This will help us fund infrastructure, education, and employment.

When we succeed, people will come from Lagos or even Brussels in search of Zamfara’s gold and lithium.

We drove through Funtua and Tsafe, areas once known as banditry hotbeds. But we saw peace. Has your CPG initiative contributed to this?

Absolutely. Tsafe, Funtua, Zurmi—those areas are now relatively calm, largely due to the efforts of the Community Protection Guards. This shows that the initiative is working.

And yes, I fully support the idea of state police. I have written to the National Economic Council expressing my agreement.

As governors, we are called chief security officers, yet we lack command over security personnel. We live in these communities. We understand their dynamics. So, we should be able to direct responses to threats swiftly.

The CPG is effectively an internal security force. We provide everything—vehicles, salaries, helmets, bulletproof vests, fuel and uniforms. We’re almost there. It just needs to be formalised.

You said you are on a rescue mission. But you are the governor of Zamfara. Are you saying your predecessor, Governor Matawalle, did nothing?

Well, I wouldn’t say he did absolutely nothing. But it’s clear that things were not working. That’s why I described my administration as being on a rescue mission — to fix what was broken, to rebuild institutions, restore peace, and bring development to our people.

Zamfara falls under the newly created Northwest Development Commission. There is also a 10-year regional development plan involving other governors. What level of cooperation are you getting from your counterparts in the Northwest?

That’s an important question. The crisis in the Northwest affects us all — Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa. Interestingly, Kano and Jigawa have managed to avoid most of these security issues. Why? From the start, they had synergy among their people. They didn’t shield criminals. If someone’s child was involved in a crime, they handed him over to the authorities. That mindset helped them contain the spread.

So, as governors, we realised the need for stronger collaboration. We each launched our own community watch groups — Katsina started, then Zamfara, then Sokoto and Kebbi followed. But beyond that, we also share intelligence. Because what happens is, once you put pressure on the bandits in one state, they shift to another. That’s why we need a joint strategy, not fragmented efforts.

You run a no-negotiation policy with bandits. Meanwhile, neighbouring states like Katsina often negotiate. Doesn’t that undermine synergy?

It does create a challenge. I have always said, any peace initiative must be holistic. If you negotiate in Katsina while I’m cracking down in Zamfara, they will just cross over. So we need a unified approach. That’s what I keep telling my colleagues. We must agree on the same strategy and stick to it.

You have advocated for state police. But critics raise concerns — misuse, funding, and accountability. What is your response?

I understand the concerns. But let’s be honest — even the conventional police system is not immune to abuse. The point is, state police would be more effective because locals understand their communities. And as for funding, I believe states should take responsibility for their security. I already have the structure in place and the people ready.

Last year, you launched an $11.7 billion project for adolescent girls. Has it made an impact?

Absolutely. We have built mega schools across the three senatorial districts under the AGILE programme. It’s helping boost girl-child education significantly. And to be honest, until we came in, Zamfara had no traffic lights — not even a single lift in any building. But now, we’re building a four-star hotel with lifts and an international airport. These are basics that should’ve been done long ago.

You mentioned funding. You have PAYE, but do you also get revenue from mining?

That’s a hot topic. Mining is on the exclusive list, yes. But land belongs to the state. So, I have told the Minister of Solid Minerals that we must find a working framework. Right now, Zamfara isn’t earning a dime from mining. Not one naira. But we are prudent. I haven’t borrowed a single kobo to fund our projects. Every contract you see, the money is already set aside. No project will be abandoned.

President Tinubu visited Benue today (yesterday). What would you do differently if you were in that situation?

Security is a common challenge across the North. Whether it’s Zamfara, Benue, or Plateau, the issues are similar. We must address the root causes. We must unite as leaders, take responsibility, and protect our people.

Let’s take you away from politics and back to governance. Before you came in, civil servants in Zamfara were earning as low as N7,000 monthly. But it was your administration that moved the figure up. Can you speak to that?

Let me tell you what hit me the most when I took over. First, there was a four-month salary backlog—deliberately created. But when I checked the treasury, there was no money. And when I tell people that I met N4 million, they laugh. But it’s a fact. I was a banker.

When I assumed office, the salary of a civil servant in Zamfara was N7,000. I said, how can someone survive on that? So, after clearing the backlog for civil servants and political appointees, I implemented the minimum wage of N30,000.

Beyond that, I introduced a 13th-month salary. In December, I paid civil servants a bonus, and I still do. Now with the new minimum wage of N70,000, we’ve implemented it at both state and local government levels. We also continue to pay the 13th-month salary and give bonuses during festive periods.

How much have you borrowed since assuming office, and are you planning to borrow more?

Let me make it categorically clear, I, Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State, has not borrowed a single kobo from any financial institution since assuming office. Today is June 18, 2025, and I remain financially okay.

There’s nothing wrong with borrowing if you have projects to show for it. But I am against borrowing just to steal. As we speak, I’m still repaying debts from the previous administration. I can show you the documents—N1.5 billion in direct deductions, now reduced to N1.118 billion from the last FAAC allocation.

We were owing N1.6 billion to KEDCO for electricity. When I came in, the government offices had no power. I paid that debt. There was not even one official car for the governor when I assumed office. Our liaison office in Kaduna was in litigation—I paid N600 million to retrieve it. We’re still fixing the Abuja liaison office, but it’s not a priority because I already have a place in Abuja. Again, I haven’t borrowed, and I don’t plan to. But if the need arises in the future, we’ll consider it. Right now, we are financially stable.

You have also spoken publicly about the need for a national policy to protect Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). What’s the current situation in Zamfara?

We have had a series of engagements with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Just two days ago, ministry officials were in Gusau to assess the situation and explore how they can assist. We have also started building centres to resettle IDPs just a few kilometres outside Gusau. It’s an ongoing effort.

You have invested a lot in the health sector. Are you considering concessioning any of the hospitals? What’s your plan for affordability, especially for ordinary citizens?

We have structured different categories—there is the insurance scheme and the contributory scheme. State and local governments are procuring drugs for primary and some secondary healthcare facilities. We’re also testing what works and monitoring closely to prevent mismanagement.

The same contractor that built the hospitals has proposed a sustainability framework. He’s in town now, and we’re reviewing his recommendations. We may include all hospitals, both completed and ongoing, under a sustainable management plan.

You got to power after a long legal battle, and it was the Supreme Court that gave the final judgment in your favour. Now, the National Assembly is proposing to make the Court of Appeal the final court for governorship elections. What are your thoughts?

I don’t want to get too deep into legislative matters, but I believe we must be careful before rushing such decisions. People like us, with experience, should be consulted. There may be a need for input before any conclusion is reached.

What’s your final message to the people of Zamfara, at home and abroad?

I want to thank the people of Zamfara for their support and understanding from day one. I ask them to keep supporting us so we can continue delivering the dividends of democracy. To those in the diaspora, we’re working to create an environment that will attract you back to serve. In the health sector, for instance, we’ve begun offering premium packages to encourage medical professionals to return and work in Zamfara.

What should the people expect in your remaining two years?

More good things. I’m confident that when you return next time, you will see a completely transformed Zamfara State. That’s my goal, and I remain focused on delivering it.