Governor Lawal Says Zamfara Missed Out on Palliatives for Not Being APC

Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, has alleged that his administration has not received federal palliative funds because he is not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during a public engagement, Lawal said he was aware that some states had received over ₦500 billion in palliative support from the federal government but claimed that Zamfara had not received similar assistance.

I know of states that have received over ₦500 billion from the federal government as palliative, but I have never received anything. I think the reason I don’t get it is that I’m not in APC, the governor said.

Lawal, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), did not name the states he referred to. Still, his comments have stirred fresh debate about the transparency and fairness of federal support to subnational governments.

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The administration of President Bola Tinubu introduced the palliative programmes to cushion the impact of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency adjustments, which triggered sharp increases in the cost of living across the country.

Several state governments have reported receiving federal support packages comprising cash transfers, food items, and other relief materials. However, Lawal’s claim suggests that the distribution may not have been uniform, raising concerns among opposition-led states.

As of now, there has been no official response from the federal government addressing the governor’s allegation.

The comment adds to growing tensions between some state governments and the federal authorities over the management and distribution of relief funds, at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transport costs, and inflation.

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