Judging from what politically and socio-economically transpired in Zamfara state during the last half of the year 2023, the incidents have amazingly rekindle voters' confidence in the state government. They have similarly brought about fresh hopes and aspirations to the people in the state. Thanks to God and indeed the new administrative policies introduced and systematically being implemented by the government of Dr. Dauda Lawal (Gamjin Gusau). Within six months of taking over the administrative responsibilities of the highly impoverished state, Dr. Dauda Lawal is able to demonstrate how committed and serious politicians can live up to the electorate's expectations by identifying and working with them to collectively accomplish common goals and objectives.
There's no gain emphasizing the fact that the hitherto exhibited selfish and irresponsible actions of our generation of political elites within and outside the state has to an undesirable extent dented the enthusiasm, morale and aspirations of the electorate in the political arrangement being experimented. No wonder voter apathy has been on the increase up to a highly discouraging level during election of political leaders at all levels. Definitely, the recorded rampant incidents of thuggery, chaotic disorder and other forms of political misconducts perpetrated by the political elites and their abused, unruly supporters are demoralizing and disheartening for a serious mind craving for concrete socio-economic development.Zamfara state, unfortunately, has over a couple of decades been a victim of the despicable atrocities of the unpatriotic and irresponsible political elites. Electorates in Zamfara state have, for a long period, been oppressed, subjugated and unjustifiably trampled upon by the elected leadership after achieving victory at the polls. The sad and ugly situation has compelled the voters to passively resign themselves to their fate and sit on the fence to watch and speculate on the scenes in frustration and anger.
Apparently tired and pushed to the wall, Zamfara state electorates intuitionally decided to change the political equation and history of the state by changing the well established status quo that was perceived by some observers as politically invincible. Sequel to the surprising development, Dr. Dauda Lawal eventually emerged the new political and administrative leader of Zamfara state. The voters’ support and believe in his “Rescue Mission” with the hope of getting the positive development which previous administrations woefully failed to provide for the state and its people.
The prevailing administrative leadership strategy so far demonstrated by the Gamjin Gusau is obviously impacting on the lives and perception of electorates in Zamfara state. Their political culture and orientation is similarly witnessing gradual transformation for the better. Apart from sanitizing the state’s financial and fiscal policies of embezzlement and fraud in public expenditure, the Governor has succeeded in restoring confidence and patriotism among the general public when the state government successfully alleviate the problems of portable water scarcity, settled unpaid schools examinations fees, owed electricity bills, salary and pension debts, etc.
Perhaps one of the most impressive, pleasing and remarkably encouraging strategies adopted and courageously being implemented by the executive Governor unfolded when he unhastatingly declared a state of emergency on the state’s education sector and swiftly evolved stringent measures to resuscitate it from total collapse. He diligently applied similar strategy to the state’s healthcare delivery sector by renewing its infrastructural decay and rehabilitating its institutions of learning.
Though deliberately misunderstood and criticised by his political opponents, Governor Dauda Lawal has resolutely pushed ahead to rigorously implement his cherished “Urban Renewal” initiative to develop and standardize infrastures attractive enough to bring into the state national and international investors. Pleasingly, the Governor has catergorically emphasised that all local government headquarters will appropriately benefit from the programme.
After the undisputable failure of previous governments to effectively save, protect lives and properties of people in the state through realistic and practicable methods, Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has introduced the option of “Community Protection Guards” to solve insecurity problems confronting the state. Evidently, the option has enormous potentials to succeed in view of the measures employed by the state government and other relevant stakeholders to implement the new initiative.
The climax of Governor Dauda Lawal’s public confidence restoration effort manifested itself when he presented the 2024 budget proposals to the state legislature for appropriate action. In it, the executive Governor clearly reveals his foresight, sympathy and zeal to make Zamfara state confidently compete with its peers. It is indeed a “Rescue Budget” of hope aimed at reinvigorating the state’s socio-economic from an impoverished one to a viable one where both Indigenes and non Indigenes will be proud of. A careful perusal of what the budget proposals contain will readily reveal how Zamfara state has been suffering due to poor economic planning and public financial fraud.
Six months of courageous and committed stewardship of Dr. Dauda Lawal have to a reasonable extent restored voters’ confidence in public governance in Zamfara state. Ours is only to hope and pray to Almighty God to consolidate the recorded achievements and help him to accomplish more in the months and years ahead.
