The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has challenged the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Manir Dan Iya, to account for the performance of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s eight-year administration, in which he served as deputy governor.
The challenge followed Dan Iya’s call on the Sokoto State Government to disclose the total revenue it had received from the Federation Account since 2023.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, described the demand as unnecessary, arguing that information on federal allocations to states was already available through official channels.
Bawa said Dan’iya should instead explain the achievements of the previous administration and what it intended to offer the people of Sokoto if given another opportunity to govern the state.
“Allocations to states from the Federation Account are publicly reported through the relevant official channels. Therefore, asking the Sokoto State Government to disclose information that is already in the public domain is unnecessary,” he said.
The APC maintained that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration had demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, noting that decisions taken at State Executive Council meetings, including project approvals, were made public.
However, the party accused the Tambuwal administration of leaving behind financial liabilities, unpaid obligations and inadequate infrastructure despite receiving substantial monthly allocations and other intervention funds.
According to the statement, the previous administration left pensioners waiting for their gratuities for six years and failed to provide regular imprest to ministries, departments and agencies.
The APC also alleged that civil servants under Tambuwal frequently experienced salary delays, with payments sometimes extending to the 15th day of the following month.
“Even then, salary payments were uncertain, leaving workers unsure of when they would receive their entitlements,” Bawa said.
He further claimed that the Aliyu administration inherited substantial unpaid electricity bills when it assumed office in May 2023, affecting government facilities, including schools and the Government House.
The party put outstanding student registration and tuition fees for students studying within Nigeria and abroad at more than N5bn, alongside unpaid sabbatical allowances owed to visiting lecturers.
Bawa said the present administration had settled the inherited liabilities, including outstanding payments owed to students.
On workers’ welfare, the APC said the Aliyu administration had implemented the new minimum wage across state and local government services, including staff of Local Government Education Authorities.
The party added that the government had recruited 3,100 personnel into various ministries, departments and agencies, 2,400 health workers and 1,550 personnel for the Sokoto Marshall security initiative.
It said the recruitment exercises were aimed at strengthening public service delivery, improving healthcare services and enhancing security across the state.
The ruling party also cited projects in road construction, water supply, education, healthcare, rural development and security as evidence of the administration’s performance.
On infrastructure, the APC said projects abandoned by the previous administration, including the Rijiya Flyover and Tashar Illela Road project, had either been completed or were at various stages of completion under Aliyu.
It maintained that its re-election campaign would be based on its record in office and projects executed across the state.
“Rather than demanding information that is already publicly available, Dan Iya should tell the people of Sokoto State what the Tambuwal administration, in which he served as Deputy Governor, achieved to deserve another opportunity to govern the state,” Bawa said.
The party vowed to continue questioning the performance of the previous administration throughout the campaign period.
The exchange comes as political parties in Sokoto intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with revenue transparency, public spending, workers’ welfare, infrastructure and security expected to feature prominently in political debates.
Dan Iya, who served as deputy governor during Tambuwal’s administration, is seeking to challenge the APC-led government in the forthcoming governorship election.