The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration, specifically regarding the ₦30 billion street fencing project in Sokoto metropolis.
In a statement issued by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, the PDP condemned the project, describing it as an irresponsible use of public funds. The party called for an immediate probe into the financial management practices of the current state government.
The PDP also reiterated its willingness to cooperate with any investigation into the actions of the previous administration led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. They emphasized that the former governor, his executive team, and senior officials are prepared to appear before the state’s Commission of Inquiry if requested.
This call for an EFCC investigation comes in the wake of a petition filed by the Sokoto State government, alleging that ₦16.1 billion in shares were diverted by the Tambuwal administration through the state’s investment company. According to Amanzi Amanzi, legal counsel to the commission, proceeds from the sale of government shares between 2018 and 2023 remain unaccounted for.
In response, the PDP criticized Governor Aliyu for what they termed as “financial recklessness,” pointing to projects such as the ₦30 billion street fencing initiative and the ₦1.2 billion repair of 25 boreholes as examples of wasteful spending.
“The people of Sokoto are still grappling with the ₦1.2 billion spent on borehole repairs, and now the governor has initiated another excessive project of fencing streets, costing an astonishing ₦30 billion,” the statement read.
The PDP further accused Governor Aliyu of using false accusations against Senator Tambuwal’s administration to distract from his own shortcomings. They asserted that Tambuwal’s government was the most transparent in the state’s history, earning recognition from global assessment agencies.
