The Igbo Community Association in Zamfara has endorsed Gov. Dauda Lawal for the 2027 re-election bid.
The association pledged to vote massively to return the governor to Government House to enable him to continue with the projects already started across the state.
Leaders of the Igbo Community Association announced their support during a courtesy visit to Lawal at Government House, Gusau, Zamfara, on Thursday.
Speaking during the visit, the association's President-General, Mr Maduka Ezemeka, pledged massive mobilisation of the Igbo people in the state to vote for Gov. Lawal.
Ezemeka said the Igbo community would support Lawal to continue the developmental projects he brought to the state in his first three years in office.
According to him, the association, with an estimated 35,000 members across the state, would work tirelessly to ensure Lawal is re-elected.
The Igbo community leader particularly commended Lawal for the ultra-modern airport project, adding that they were impressed with the quality of each of the numerous projects either completed or ongoing across the state.
He said their visit was meant to strengthen the relationship between the Igbo community and the state government, as well as promote cooperation in developing Zamfara.
He said many community members over 40 were born and raised in Zamfara; therefore, they consider the state their home and are committed to contributing to its social and economic development.
Ezemeka appealed to the government to provide financial support through loans and credit facilities to support their businesses amid the prevailing economic challenges.
The president-general also appealed for a functional bus to facilitate the association’s activities, explaining that vehicles previously provided by successive administrations were no longer in good working condition.
Ezemeka, however, expressed concern over the reported disengagement of some community members who had worked as teachers in the state.
He said the development had created difficulties for the affected individuals and their families.
The president-general urged the governor to look into the matter and consider measures to assist those affected.
Responding, Gov. Lawal pledged to provide the community with a bus to support its activities and promised to intervene in issues affecting community members who were disengaged from teaching service in the state.
Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, equal treatment and cooperation among residents of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, stressing that unity was essential for national development.
He said Nigerians must learn to live together, support one another and recognise their shared identity, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
The governor recalled his longstanding relationship with members of the Igbo community, dating back to his childhood, when he interacted with Igbo businessmen and artisans who worked and lived within his ancestral home in Gusau.
According to him, such relationships demonstrate that Nigerians can prosper together when they embrace mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.
Lawal commended the community for the visit and kind words about his administration, describing the Igbo people as brothers and partners in the development of Zamfara.
On the community’s request for business support, the governor encouraged the leadership to submit a formal proposal outlining the area of assistance required.
He said he would study the proposal with his team to determine how the government could support their businesses, including exploring possible partnerships with financial institutions and other relevant interventions.
Lawal noted that access to proper documentation for landed properties could help business owners use their assets as collateral to obtain credit facilities.
He explained that his administration introduced property recertification to enable owners to regularise their documents and improve their access to financial opportunities.
On the concerns raised over the disengagement of some Igbo community members who worked as teachers in the state, Lawal expressed surprise, saying he had previously directed the former Commissioner for Education to resolve the matter.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Nakwada, to revisit the issue in collaboration with the Commissioner for Education and representatives of the affected teachers.
The governor instructed officials to establish the facts, take necessary action, and report back to him on its resolution.
He assured that there would be no discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of ethnicity or religion, noting that teachers play a vital role in educating future generations.
Lawal said that school infrastructure alone was not sufficient to deliver quality education without qualified personnel to teach students.
He reiterated that all Nigerians deserve fair treatment and opportunities to contribute to their communities' development, regardless of ethnic origin.
Lawal thanked them for the visit and assured them of his administration’s support for the community and others who need it.
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