Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has been accused of plotting a clash with President Bola Tinubu and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, as calls for a state of emergency in the state continue to intensify.

In light of persistent security challenges and the political standoff between the Governor and members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, there has been a growing call for the President to implement the “Rivers treatment” by declaring a state of emergency.

Amid these developments, concerned northern stakeholders, through a statement released on Sunday, May 4, 2025, by Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gwandu, president of the Northern Patriots for Justice and Democracy (NPJD), accused Governor Lawal of allocating ₦10 billion from local government funds to sponsor a domestic and international propaganda campaign aimed at easing pressure from the presidency and portraying Zamfara as politically stable.

The political landscape has deteriorated, with 10 suspended lawmakers establishing a parallel assembly and asserting legislative authority, effectively splitting the House into two rival factions.

At the same time, armed attacks have intensified across several local government areas, displacing thousands and further deepening the state’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“We have credible intelligence that Governor Dauda Lawal has withdrawn over ₦10 billion from Zamfara’s local government account to fund media propaganda, mobilise surrogate groups locally and internationally, and mislead the world into thinking Zamfara is not on the brink of collapse,” Gwandu claimed.

“This war chest is being used to shield his administration from scrutiny, distract the world from the state’s ongoing legislative coup, and dissuade President Tinubu from acting decisively.”

The group further claimed that part of Lawal’s media strategy involves sponsoring fake civil society groups to orchestrate a smear campaign against Matawalle, which includes creating false petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“These groups have been paid to fabricate petitions against Matawalle and portray him as an enemy of progress in Zamfara,” the statement said.

“They are distorting the narrative, attempting to depict the former governor as being persecuted for corruption, when in reality, Matawalle’s strong connections with President Tinubu and his firm stance on insecurity have made him a target.”

The NPJD warned that Governor Lawal’s actions amount to an open confrontation with the federal government.