By Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
A prominent Islamic scholar in Zamfara State, Dr. Abdulmuddalib Muhammad Auwal Gusau, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The declaration was made on Monday at the party’s local government headquarters in Gusau.
Dr. Abdulmuddalib, who is said to command a large following estimated at about 600,000 supporters across the 14 local government areas of the state, said his decision to join the race was driven by what he described as the unsatisfactory performance of the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal over the past three years.
He criticised the state government’s handling of insecurity, noting that the situation has led to a growing number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have crowded Gusau, the state capital, without the provision of adequate camps or basic support services, including healthcare.
Highlighting his academic background, the cleric stated that he holds a PhD in Agriculture, which, according to him, positions him to improve the state’s agricultural policies, boost food security, and drive rural development.
He, however, stressed that meaningful progress in agriculture cannot be achieved without improved security. He added that his administration would prioritise the fear of God as a guiding principle to address the state’s security challenges.
Dr. Abdulmuddalib also expressed concern over the condition of the health and education sectors in Zamfara, describing them as inadequate and in need of urgent intervention. He particularly faulted the lack of proper equipment in health facilities, noting that building or renovating hospitals without equipping them undermines effective service delivery.
The cleric further assured residents that security would significantly improve under his leadership, pledging to confront criminal elements decisively.
“You will witness remarkable changes in the security situation once I become governor. As a young and capable leader, I am prepared to tackle criminality head-on and restore peace in the state by the grace of God,” he said.
