N16.1bn fraud: Gov Aliyu’s corruption fight manifesting
By Mohammed Umar
Sokoto people should support Governor Aliyu’s fight against corruption to promote and enhance transparency and accountability in governance.
For Governor Aliyu, accountability is at the forefront of his governance.
Because of this reason we call on all Sokoto people to support his anti-corruption efforts.
If a state’s residents are aware that their leaders prioritize openness and honesty in governance, creating a fairer society that ensures that justice is served to all, irrespective of social status, the greatness of such state is assured.
Protecting and safeguarding public wealth is another vital aspects of a good administration. Corruption often diverts funds meant for essential public services, which more often than not exacerbates issues like malnutrition, out of school children resulting in mass illiteracy.
This is what Governor Aliyu is actively addressing through collaborations with organizations like the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
By combating corruption, Governor Aliyu is actively allocating resources more effectively, to improve the overall wellbeing of Sokoto’s residents.
It is important to note that a corruption-free society attracts investors, enhances speedy entrepreneurship, and creates jobs opportunities, ultimately boosting Sokoto’s growth and development.
By supporting Governor Aliyu’s anti-corruption initiatives, residents can contribute to a prosperous future for themselves and their children.
So, Sokoto people should not be misled by the PDP and their supporters who thinks Governor Aliyu is witch-hunting his predecessor.
When citizens support anti-corruption fights, they send a strong message that they value integrity and honesty more than illegitimate wealth.
By the foregoing, all well-meaning residents of Sokoto State should be happy that the Sokoto State Judicial Commission of Inquiry has, at its resumed sitting on Tuesday, commenced an investigation into the N16.1bn worth of unaccounted shares sold by the administration of former governor of the state, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
According to reports, state Accountant-General, Umar B. Ahmed, said Tambuwal transferred the said shares to Sokoto Investment Company Limited through a letter.
Barrister Amanzi further testified that the shares were however sold with no trace of proceeds accruing from the sales, part of which he said was distributed to private and corporate accounts.
One interesting thing is that one of the complainants that appeared at the commission on Tuesday, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, proprietor of Evergreen Schools, told the commission that he received a notice asking him to halt the development of the plots he had bought from some individuals before the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
Aliyu’s complaint is one of the seven received by the commission from individuals in respect of plot allocation at the new Sokoto city by the immediate past administration.
It could be recalled that Governor Ahmed Aliyu shortly after assumption of office on May 2023, revoked all plots of lands allocated by the administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal after the 2023 gubernatorial election, being aware that the processes did not follow legal process.
One good news to the complainants is that Governor Aliyu has assured that a thorough scrutiny of the allottees would be made soon with a view to ensuring that “politics and nepotism do not play a role in the allotments of the said plots”.
Governor Aliyu revoked the land sold by Senator Tambuwal due to concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of the allocations made during the PDP-led administration of Tambuwal.
This decision was likely made to address potential irregularities and ensure that land is fairly and equitably distributed in the state.
It’s undoubted that Governor Aliyu’s administration had conducted a review of the land sales and found discrepancies or sharp practices that warranted the revocation.
By taking this measure, Governor Aliyu will restore transparency in land allocations, which he believes should be made in a clear and accountable manner.
The people’s governor is out to address potential corruption or favoritism in the allocation and sales of the land.
Furthermore, Governor Aliyu’s action will safeguard the interests of the people of Sokoto State by ensuring that land is used for the greater good of the state, but not for selfish ends.
The discovery of this alleged monumental financial fraud under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of Senator Tambuwal is part of a broader move by Governor Aliyu’s government to review and potentially reverse decisions made by his predecessor, Senator Tambuwal, which had been done against the state values and ideals.
Mohammed Umar writes from Sokoto, Sokoto State.