Zamfara State is under intense scrutiny as a massive civil service reshuffling unfolds, following the leak of a memo implicating high-ranking officials, including Governor Dauda Lawal, in financing terrorism and banditry. Despite the state government’s denial of these allegations during a recent press briefing, questions persist about the state’s leadership and its commitment to combating terrorism.
Governor Lawal, in a swift and unconventional move, bypassed the Commissioner of Finance, appointing the Head of Service, Ahmad Aliyu Liman, to oversee the sensitive task of reorganizing treasury staff. This shakeup included the redeployment of senior civil servants, with Idris Bawa remaining in the Accountant General’s office and Aminu Musa Gusau now serving as Deputy Accountant General.
Critics argue that these changes may be an attempt to contain further leaks rather than part of broader civil service reforms, as described by the Governor’s office. A source close to the Governor neither confirmed nor denied these developments when contacted by Pulse Nigeria.
The reshuffling has fueled international and local scrutiny, with organizations calling for an impartial investigation into Zamfara’s financial dealings, particularly in light of the accusations linking the Governor to banditry financing. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about the timing of the reshuffle, speculating that it could be more about damage control than genuine reform.
As the situation continues to develop, Zamfara remains the focus of widespread speculation about whether these changes signify true reform or an effort to deflect scrutiny amid growing allegations against the state’s leadership.