PDP governor claims opposition-led states excluded from federal support meant to cushion subsidy removal, while APC governors receive billions in interventions
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has accused the Federal Government of deliberately excluding his state from the N500 billion palliative intervention funds, alleging that the exclusion is politically motivated because he belongs to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a video that has since gone viral across social media platforms, Lawal claimed that states governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) have received substantial financial support from the federal government to help citizens cope with the rising cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy, while Zamfara has been left to fend for itself .
'I Know States That Received Over N500 Billion'
Speaking in the widely circulated video, the governor made his allegations without equivocation.
"I know of states that have received over N500 billion from the Federal Government as palliative, but I have never received anything," Lawal said. "I think the reason I don't get it is because I'm not in APC" .
The governor emphasized that Zamfara State has had to rely solely on its own resources to implement food distribution and welfare initiatives for residents, despite facing significant economic and security challenges that have plagued the state for over a decade .
A Stark Contrast
Lawal's allegations stand in sharp contrast to recent developments in neighboring Kano State, where Governor Abba Yusuf—who recently defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC—publicly expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and APC governors for approving N8 billion in support for victims of the Singer Market fire outbreak .
Vice President Kashim Shettima led a federal delegation to Kano on Monday, announcing N5 billion in federal government support, with APC governors adding an additional N3 billion to assist traders affected by the devastating fire that destroyed goods worth billions of naira .
Yusuf described the intervention as "timely and compassionate," defending his defection to the APC as a strategic move to align Kano State with the federal government to fast-track development .
'Citizens Should Not Suffer Because of Political Rivalry'
Lawal maintained that federal palliatives were supposed to be distributed equitably across all states, regardless of party affiliation, stressing that citizens should not bear the consequences of political differences between different levels of government .
"The palliatives which were introduced by the Federal Government as a way of cushioning the effects of the petroleum products subsidy removal are supposed to be shared equitably and fairly to all the component units of the Nigerian Federation," he said .
Despite the alleged deprivation, the governor ruled out any immediate plan to defect to the ruling party—a path taken by several opposition governors who have cited the need to access federal patronage and accelerate development in their states.
No New Loans
Lawal also disclosed that his administration had not obtained any new loans since assuming office, noting that Zamfara was still servicing debts incurred by the previous administration.
"I have never borrowed any loan to run our state, not even one cent. Every month, N1.2 billion is deducted before the money is sent to us," he said .
Broader Context
The palliatives in question were rolled out nationwide following the 2023 removal of fuel subsidies, a policy that triggered hyperinflation and increased living costs across Nigeria. The federal government initially announced plans to disburse N5,000 to 10 million households for six months, funded partly by an $800 million World Bank loan .
However, Lawal's allegations highlight growing frustration among opposition governors regarding perceived favoritism in federal resource allocation. Similar complaints have arisen from other opposition-led states, including Osun, which previously cried out over withheld local government funds .
Political analysts say such allegations are increasing tensions between states governed by the PDP and the APC-led administration of President Tinubu, fueling speculation about possible defections to the ruling party as a means of securing federal support .
No Official Response
As of the time of this report, neither the Presidency nor the All Progressives Congress has issued an official response to Governor Lawal's allegations .
For the people of Zamfara—a state battling insurgency, economic hardship, and now alleged political exclusion—the governor's claims add another layer of complexity to their daily struggle for survival.
Posts
0 Comments