Former Zamfara governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has refuted claims by Governor Dauda Lawal that he left only ₦4 million in the state’s treasury.
Speaking through his former Information Commissioner, Ibrahim Dosara, at a press briefing in Kaduna, Matawalle insisted he handed over ₦14 billion in bond proceeds, ₦2.6 billion in World Bank funds, and other financial grants.
He urged Governor Lawal to stop blaming past leadership and focus on governance. On unpaid salaries, Matawalle admitted owing three months—not four and a half—and blamed the delay on alleged threats by the new administration to banks.
Matawalle also criticized Lawal’s handling of security and alleged that the current government had failed to pay WAEC and NECO fees and complete key projects.
Responding, Governor Lawal’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, stood by the ₦4 million claim, accused Matawalle of mismanaging funds, and described Dosara’s remarks as “a bunch of goofs.” He said the Lawal administration had cleared salary arrears and improved security and finances in the state.
