Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former governorship candidate, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, on Monday, debunked allegations by opposition politicians that Governor Dauda Lawal secured a ₦34 billion loan to fund developmental projects in Zamfara State.

Describing the allegation as “a figment of the opposition’s fertile imagination,” Shinkafi said the allegation of obtaining a ₦34 billion loan by opposition politicians in the state was a figment of their fertile imaginations aimed at distracting Governor Lawal from fulfilling his rescue mission agenda of total transformation of Zamfara State.

In a statement, Shinkafi, despite his affiliation with the APC, praised the governor’s sweeping achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and security, describing them as “massive, impressive, and unprecedented.”

He also endorsed the governor for a second term, noting that as the first governor from Zamfara Central Senatorial District since 1999, equity demands that he be allowed to complete his two-term mandate.

He said: “Gusau now looks like a state capital, a departure from its rural features since it was created by General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime on 1st October 1996.

“The construction and rehabilitation of township roads, along with the Gusau International Cargo Airport nearing completion, have turned Zamfara State from an agricultural to a commercial hub of the North West region in barely two years of Dauda Lawal’s administration.

“The simultaneous development of the state capital, Gusau, and the 14 Local Government Areas, turning the entire Zamfara State into a project site, is a testament to progressive, visionary, purposeful, and resourceful leadership. It is democracy in action.

“Citizens have started reaping the fruits of democracy with improved healthcare — the upgrade of all the government-owned general hospitals in Zamfara State with state-of-the-art equipment, reform of the civil service, construction and furnishing of 500 schools, and payment of NECO, WAEC, and NABTEB examination fees for students.
“Upgrade of the State University and acquisition of the Islamic University at Shinkafi in Shinkafi Local Government Area, constructed by a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, in the North West.

“Construction and rehabilitation of markets, motor parks, and purchase of 50 buses for the Zamfara State Transport Authority to ease interstate transportation, construction of Emir Palaces across the Emirates in the state, procurement of 200 vehicles for security agencies to effectively fight criminal elements, etc.

“Indeed, Zamfara State has never had it so good, an eloquent testimony of pragmatic, innovative, and compassionate leadership aimed at touching lives. While commissioning some projects implemented by Governor Dauda Lawal recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was amazed and paid glowing tributes to him as an exemplary leader.

“The governor invited me to the commissioning of these projects, though I am from an opposition party, All Progressives Congress. Good governance is beyond partisan politics; the interest of the state supersedes parochial political considerations.”

He called on all stakeholders to rally behind Governor Lawal in his mission to promote peace, unity, and sustainable development across the state.

He added, “From his achievements so far and in the interest of justice, equity, and unity, the 2027 governorship slot again should go to Zamfara Central Senatorial District, where Lawal hails from, to enable him to complete his two terms in office, being the first governor from the zone since the inception of the current democracy in 1999. I endorse him accordingly.

“No doubt, with improved security, resumption of farming, commercial activities, studies in areas once affected by bandit attacks, social amenities, and infrastructural development, Zamfara State is on the right path to greatness and prosperity.”