Abdul-Malik Gajam Reveals Allegations Of Corruption, Mismanagement In Zamfara

Abdul-Malik Gajam, the Zamfara Budget Commissioner, recently shared crucial information regarding the ascension of Dauda Lawal’s government in Zamfara State through a series of Twitter videos. In these videos, he shed light on the rise of Bello Matawalle to power. Gajam began by lamenting the state’s current state of underdevelopment and the burden of mounting debts the government is struggling to pay.

Gajam directly accused the Matawalle Government of financial impropriety, boldly stating, “Matawalle has eaten Zamfara’s money.” The Budget Commissioner alleged that the government failed to release funds allocated for workers’ pensions, ultimately misappropriating the collected money.

Aside from essential needs like clean drinking water and infrastructure, Governor Dauda Lawal is reportedly striving to secure funding for the state’s healthcare sector. Gajam emphasized the dire financial situation, asserting that the state’s coffers have been drained, leading to crippling debt. This financial crisis has even led to payroll errors, with some individuals receiving the salaries of two to three employees.

The video further delves into how Bello Matawalle assumed the position of Minister of Defense. Gajam claimed that the federal government appointed him, despite allegations that he had distributed vehicles to bandits and harbored them in his palace. The former governor faced additional accusations, including the misappropriation of funds in fraudulent contracts and the purchase of vehicles worth over 15 billion Naira.

Gajam’s critique extended to Matawalle’s role as the chairman of the security committee in the House of Representatives, linking his tenure to the emergence of the Boko Haram crisis. He lamented that the state lacked the financial resources to address the security issue while grappling with three months of salary arrears that the previous government had neglected.

Furthermore, there were allegations of corruption within the Matawalle Government, such as the prepayment for the construction of the Governor’s residences before any work commenced. Dauda Lawal contended that the terms of the contract were deliberately disregarded, allowing the misappropriation of Zamfara State’s wealth to persist over the years.

The Spectacles highlights the serious allegations raised by Abdul-Malik Gajam, shedding light on the financial and governance challenges faced by Zamfara State under the leadership of Bello Matawalle and Dauda Lawal.