The Zamfara State Rescue Movement (ZSRM) has dismissed claims by the factional All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, regarding the implementation of the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 by Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement issued on Sunday, the coordinator of the ZSRM, Hon. Lawal Usman Idris, accused the opposition of being envious of Governor Lawal’s achievements, which he claimed have surpassed those of the previous APC-led administration within just two years in office.
According to Idris, the APC faction, still aggrieved by its loss in the 2023 gubernatorial election, is attempting to mislead the public by describing the governor’s implementation of the minimum wage as a political ploy to gain the support of civil servants.
Idris criticised Yusuf Gusau for making what he described as “malicious comparisons” between the administration of former Governor Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, and the current leadership of Governor Lawal.
He asserted that Gusau had listed projects that were “mere figments of imagination.”
ZSRM emphasised that Governor Lawal’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises is evident, particularly in the implementation of the minimum wage.
The group noted that the state government inherited numerous challenges, including security crises marked by banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and displacement of citizens, alongside an empty treasury.
“To claim that the governor’s efforts, especially in implementing the minimum wage, are deceptive is a deliberate misrepresentation of his blueprint for Zamfara’s transformation,” the statement read.
While recognising freedom of expression as a fundamental right, ZSRM condemned the distortion of facts, warning that inciting citizens against a democratically elected government is counterproductive.
The group called on all political stakeholders to set aside partisan politics and collaborate with the government to address the economic challenges facing the state.
Highlighting Governor Lawal’s record, the ZSRM noted that he is the first governor in Zamfara State to implement the national minimum wage of ₦70,000, at a time when many other state governments have opposed it.
In contrast, the previous administration of Bello Matawalle struggled to pay the previous minimum wage of ₦30,000, with some civil servants reportedly receiving as little as ₦7,000 monthly.
The statement further accused the former administration of failing to meet workers’ needs, leading to demoralisation, reduced productivity, and stagnation in economic development.
In contrast, Governor Lawal’s government has prioritised the welfare of civil servants by clearing outstanding salaries, pensions, and entitlements, including the payment of a ₦13.6 billion pension backlog and four months of overdue salaries.
Additionally, ₦1.8 billion in withheld entitlements for the Ministry of Justice, Justices, and Khadis was paid, while funds to state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that had been withheld for two years under Matawalle’s administration were released.
To boost human capital development, Governor Lawal reinstated seminars, workshops, and training programmes while ensuring timely salary payments. The government has also upgraded the state secretariat, improving the work environment for civil servants.
The ZSRM urged Governor Lawal to remain focused on delivering democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.
The group also called on the opposition to embrace constructive engagement rather than engaging in divisive politics, stressing that Governor Lawal’s performance has rekindled hope in governance.
