Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye has called on Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to publicly apologize to former Zamfara Governvor over allegations that he diverted state resources and sponsored banditry in the state.
The call came during a press conference held at the PDP state headquarters in Lalan Gusau after Ibrahim Shehu secured the party’s ticket to contest the Zamfara governorship in 2027. Speaking to journalists and party supporters, he said the governor’s public accusations against Matawalle and other APC leaders cannot be left without consequence, whether they are true or false.
Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye argued that if the governor’s claims are accurate, then it raises a serious question about the current administration’s own involvement in the crisis facing Zamfara. He said that by working with people he had once accused of sponsoring insurgency, Governor Lawal would be aligning himself with criminals and perpetuating the cycle of violence that has plagued the state. For him, it would mean that those in power are not interested in ending insecurity but in managing it for political gain.
On the other hand, if the accusations are not true, Shehu Bakauye said the governor owes the public and those he named an apology. He stressed that making such weighty allegations without evidence damages reputations and deepens political tension at a time when the state needs unity to address insecurity and economic hardship. He noted that tarnishing the image of public officials without proof undermines trust in government and makes it harder for leaders to work together on solutions.
He also questioned the political shift he sees among those who once condemned others for corruption and criminality but have now joined forces with them. Addressing the crowd, he asked directly what the people should call politicians who label others as thieves and later align themselves with those same individuals. The remark drew applause from supporters who said it reflected their frustration with what they see as inconsistent and opportunistic politics in the state.
Shehu Bakauye said the people of Zamfara deserve clarity and accountability from their leaders, especially on matters related to security. He insisted that governance should not be reduced to accusations and counter-accusations while communities continue to suffer attacks, displacement, and economic hardship.
The PDP candidate said that if elected, his administration would focus on restoring trust in leadership and ensuring that public officials are held to a higher standard of conduct. He added that the upcoming election should be about who can offer credible solutions to insecurity and poverty, not who can shout the loudest in a political fight.
The press conference ended with Ibrahim Shehu urging Governor Lawal to either substantiate his claims or withdraw them publicly and seek forgiveness from those affected. He said Zamfara cannot afford more division, and the people are watching to see whether leaders will choose responsibility over rhetoric as the 2027 elections approach.
