PDP ask EFCC to probe Gov Aliyu over N30bn street fencing project in Sokoto

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration over the N30 billion street fencing project in Sokoto metropolis.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, the PDP criticized the project as reckless and a misuse of public funds, calling for an immediate financial review of the state’s expenditures.

The PDP expressed its willingness to cooperate with any scrutiny of the former administration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, assuring that the ex-governor, his executive council, and senior officials are prepared to appear before the state’s Commission of Inquiry as needed.

This call for an investigation comes in the wake of a petition filed by the Sokoto State government, alleging the diversion of N16.1 billion in shares by the previous administration through the state’s investment company.

According to Amanzi Amanzi, counsel to the Commission of Inquiry, the proceeds from the sale of government shares between 2018 and 2023 were unaccounted for.

The PDP, in response, condemned what it termed “financial recklessness” under Governor Aliyu, citing the billions spent on unnecessary projects like street fencing, as well as N1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes, amidst the state’s ongoing economic struggles.

“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 statement read.

The PDP accused the governor of attempting to deflect public attention from his administration’s shortcomings by making false allegations against Senator Tambuwal and his cabinet.

The party maintained that Tambuwal’s administration was the most transparent in Sokoto’s history, as recognised by global assessment agencies.

The PDP further claimed that Governor Aliyu’s projects, such as the repair of roundabouts and archways in the Sokoto metropolis, lacked proper procurement procedures, with contracts awarded without State Executive Council approval or public tender. It also alleged that faceless contractors, chosen through patronage, were carrying out the projects.

The PDP concluded by demanding that the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission launch a full investigation into the N30 billion street fencing expenditure, arguing that it is in the interest of fairness and justice for the people of Sokoto State.