The People’s 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 over a N30 billion street fencing project in the Sokoto metropolis. The PDP criticized the project as reckless and a misuse of public funds, demanding an immediate probe into the state’s financial practices.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, the party expressed its readiness to face scrutiny regarding the actions of the immediate past administration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The PDP asserted that Tambuwal, along with his executive council and senior officials, are prepared to appear before the state’s Commission of Inquiry.
The call for an EFCC investigation follows a petition by the Sokoto State government to the Commission of Inquiry over the alleged diversion of N16.1 billion in shares by the previous administration. According to the state government, the proceeds from the sale of government shares between 2018 and 2023, facilitated through the state’s investment company, were allegedly unaccounted for.
In its statement, the PDP accused Governor Aliyu of financial mismanagement, citing the street fencing project and the N1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes as examples of wasteful expenditure. The party argued that such projects were unnecessary, especially given the economic challenges faced by Sokoto residents.
“The people of Sokoto have not yet recovered from the N1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes, and now the governor has embarked on another wasteful project of fencing streets with an outrageous budget of N30 billion,” the PDP’s statement read.
The PDP further alleged that Governor Aliyu’s administration had bypassed procurement procedures in awarding contracts for the street fencing and other projects, such as the repair of roundabouts and archways in Sokoto. It claimed that contracts were awarded without State Executive Council approval or public tenders, with the work being carried out by contractors chosen through political patronage.
Concluding its statement, the PDP called for a full investigation by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the street fencing project, arguing that such an inquiry is necessary to ensure fairness and justice for the people of Sokoto State.
