Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has challenged political officeholders who feel they have not benefited from his government to resign.

Mr Lawal stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the government house, Gusau, on Sunday.

The governor spoke following complaints from various stakeholders, including political office holders, youths and women, alleging lack of welfare under the Dauda-led administration.

“There are some political officeholders who complain that they have not gotten anything,” he said. “That is not true. Even among the commissioners, anyone who feels he is not getting anything should resign.”

Mr Lawal, however, explained that his administration had focused on delivering basic infrastructure and other projects across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for the long-term benefit of the people in the past three years.

According to him, available data showed that infrastructure worth more than N20 billion has been delivered to each of the 14 local government areas in the last three years.

“For three years, we have focused on governance. Now it is time to return to politics, because its time has come,” Mr Lawal said.

He, however, admitted that the government’s mistake was not making public the names of those awarded contracts, promising that the names would soon be made public.

Mr Lawal listed key party stakeholders, including Reps Abdulmalik Zannah, Ahmadu Mai-Palace, Aminu Jaji and Bello Hassan, among those who provided various empowerment items for the people and youths of the state.

The governor appealed to the stakeholders for patience with the politicians and other party faithful, assuring that the situation would soon change.

Mr Lawal also appealed to APC loyalists to unite, saying, “From today, please, let us stop the politics of so-and-so’s house. Let us come together as one party with the same vision.

“The talk of Dauda’s house, Matawalle’s house, or Shehi’s house should stop. Let us unite and stay under one house, because it is Allah who has brought us together in His grace,” he said.

The governor said the administration had trained no fewer than 3,000 youths in various skills.

He said transport fares had been provided, adding that graduates were being supported to become self-reliant and that a monthly list of beneficiaries was being maintained.

Mr Lawal announced that he would meet in Abuja with former governors—Ahmad Yarima, Mamuda Shinkafi, Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle to harmonise and compile the list of those who will lead the APC Campaign Council in Zamfara.

“Please, even if you don’t see your name, don’t think you are not important. By Allah’s grace, everyone is important; it’s just that not everyone can be included,” he said.

Mr Lawal assured that he had heard and noted all complaints raised at the meeting, promising to develop plans to ensure everyone benefits.

“We will come up with plans so that everyone will benefit, by the grace of Allah. Whoever has something in his heart should be patient,” Mr Lawal pleaded.

(NAN)