Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Zamfara State Integrity Group has cautioned governors against using public funds to procure vehicles for political supporters, insisting that state treasuries must not be run like personal gift shops. The coalition made its position known in a statement released on Saturday in Gusau by its spokesperson, Muhammad Sagir.
The group emphasized that public resources should be strictly dedicated to public welfare and security challenges rather than political patronage. According to the statement, the principle of financial accountability remains non-negotiable for elected officials.
What did the group say about state spending?
Sagir criticized political leaders for allegedly converting state treasuries into personal assets while neglecting critical issues like banditry. He maintained that public money must serve public interests exclusively, noting that personal gestures ought to be financed from private pockets.
"Treasury is not a political gift shop. Governors have made public funds personal property instead of concentrating more on the insecurity bedevilling their states," Sagir stated. He warned that any executive utilizing state finances to purchase cars or motorcycles for loyalists would face strict accountability from the electorate.
How does insecurity affect political futures?
The coalition further argued that political survival in upcoming polls depends heavily on performance, particularly regarding safety and security. Sagir asserted that leaders who initially campaigned on promises to eradicate banditry risk electoral defeat if they fail to deliver on those commitments.
Additionally, the group warned that governors who switch political parties while failing to protect lives and property are perceived as betrayers by citizens and would be voted out.
This warning follows a recent empowerment initiative by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who distributed 300 vehicles and 200 motorcycles to various groups and individuals as part of his administration's support program to alleviate hardship and boost community logistics.