By Muhammad A. Abubakar The Zamfara State Government has debunked allegations that Governor Dauda Lawal obtained N34 billion in loans, de...
By Muhammad A. Abubakar
The Zamfara State Government has debunked allegations that Governor Dauda Lawal obtained N34 billion in loans, describing the report by Sahara Reporters as a deliberate distortion rooted in sensationalist, gonzo-style journalism.
Sahara Reporters had on Monday published a story titled “EXCLUSIVE: Budget Documents Expose Zamfara Governor Lawal’s False Claim of no Borrowing — N34 Billion Loans Recorded Under His Watch”, accusing the governor of misleading the public on the state’s financial dealings.
In a statement issued in Gusau, the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, dismissed the report as "a signature piece of misinformation" typical of Sahara Reporters, accusing the platform of sacrificing journalistic objectivity for sensationalism.
“Our attention has been drawn to false information being circulated by Sahara Reporters, a blog notorious for peddling fake news to drive web traffic,” the statement read.
Idris reiterated that Governor Dauda Lawal has not secured any local or international loans since assuming office, and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency.
“During a recent live media chat, Governor Lawal clearly stated that no loans have been taken under his leadership. The Sahara Report, which claims N34 billion in loans were recorded under his watch, reveals glaring gaps in understanding and a failure to properly interpret the budget document,” the statement continued.
Clarifying the figures cited in the report, the government explained that the 2023 budget was prepared by the previous administration of Bello Matawalle, now serving as Minister of State for Defence. It noted that while ₦53.2 billion was allocated for loan servicing, ₦34 billion of that amount was used to pay interest on existing debts inherited from past administrations, not new borrowings.
“This clearly demonstrates Governor Lawal’s resolve to reduce the state’s debt burden, not to accumulate more,” Idris emphasised.
He further criticised Sahara Reporters for what he called “a willful abandonment of journalistic ethics,” accusing the platform of favouring provocative storytelling over verified facts.
“A platform committed to credible journalism would investigate thoroughly, verify claims, and seek professional insights before publishing. Sahara Reporters chose instead to embrace its Gonzo Journalism style—subjective, exaggerated, and deliberately misleading,” he said.
The spokesperson challenged Sahara Reporters to produce any evidence indicating that the present administration has sought or obtained new loan facilities.
“If Sahara Reporters is genuinely concerned about Zamfara’s financial health, it should direct its questions to former Governor Bello Matawalle, who received and managed the loans we are currently servicing—yet with no commensurate development to show,” he added.
Governor Lawal, the statement concluded, remains focused on responsible governance, debt reduction, and economic reform, while calling on the public to disregard what it described as “baseless propaganda from an unreliable source.”
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