Govs-elects kick as outgoing governors shun transition panels

There are strong indications that the transition process is not going smoothly in many states as the outgoing governors are allegedly not cooperating with their successors....CONTINUE READING

Following the development, the panels set up by the incoming governors are asking questions on the financial conditions of the states, thus generating tension…..CONTINUE READING

In Zamfara State, Governor Bello Matawalle was accused of not cooperating with the incoming administration of Dauda Dare ahead of the inauguration on May 29.

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Faruku Ahmed, in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday, stressed that since Matawalle lost his re-election bid, he had abandoned the state and had been avoiding the governor-elect.

Ahmed further alleged that Matawalle left the state two months ago and was not cooperating with the incoming administration in terms of the transition programme.

Ahmed said, “The incoming administration of Dauda Lawan Dare has been trying to get some relevant information from the outgoing administration, but Governor Bello Mattawalle is not willing to cooperate with the committees appointed by the incoming governor to find out the true picture of things.

“Based on this, the incoming governor appointed sub-committees to go round the ministries, departments and other agencies in order to get relevant information because Governor Matawalle is not willing to prepare handing over notes.”

He condemned those condemning the committee appointed by the governor-elect to investigate ministries, departments and other government agencies in the state. Punch

He said Dare had every right to appoint committees to furnish him with relevant information on the activities of the outgoing administration ‘’so that he would know where to start and how to recover some government properties and funds allegedly diverted by the outgoing administration of Governor Bello Matawalle in the last four years.’’

The incoming governor recently constituted a committee under the leadership of a former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, to ensure the smooth handing and taking over of government on May 29.

“Since Governor Matawalle is not ready to cooperate with the incoming administration, the appointed committees will find out the true situation of things for the incoming administration.

“So, we will not wait until the handing over date. We will continue to invite top civil servants and public office holders to come and make clarifications,’’ the PDP spokesman declared.

But the Publicity Secretary of the Zamfara State All Progressive Congress, Yusuf Idris, faulted the allegation that Mattawalle had abandoned the state, describing the claim as untrue.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the phone, Idris explained that the governor had only travelled outside the state for important functions.

He said it was not possible for Ahmed to know whether the governor was in the state or not.

He noted, “Governor Matawalle has been coming to the state but goes back to attend some important functions for the progress of the state. Whoever told you that he has been away since the time he lost the election is only saying so to tarnish his (Matawalle’s) image.

“I want people to understand that whether the governor is in the state or not, the government’s activities are going on smoothly without any hindrance.”

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, also criticised Dare for appointing committees to get information on the activities of ministries departments and agencies.

Dosara in a statement said this was illegal as Matawalle was still the governor until May 29…..CONTINUE READING