By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
In response to a recent statement by governor Ahmed Aliyu that he will use his achievements thus far to campaign for a second term in office,
the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate on Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has challenged him to first disclose the total revenue received by his administration within the last 3 years.
“The debate ahead of 2027 should be based on records that citizens, journalists, auditors and relevant public institutions can examine. The people of Sokoto are entitled to ask simple questions: How much money came in? Where did it go? Which projects were completed? What changed in the lives of the people? Before telling the opposition to present its record, tell the people how much you received and show them the evidence of what you delivered.”Dan’Iya queried.
Dan’Iya, who said the disclosure should include those monies received
from the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue and other sources from May 2023 to September 2026, added that until such is done, asking oppositions to showcase their achievements ahead of the 2027 general election would be meaningless.
The ADC guber candiate said despite governor, Ahmed Aliyu is entitled to present his administration’s projects and development initiatives, the people of state however deserves a clear account of the public funds received, how the money was spent and the measurable benefits delivered to citizens.
A statement signed by Aminu Abdullahi, the Media Aide of Manir Dan’iya said they are responding to the governor’s recent remarks that the APC would campaign on its record of performance rather than engage in personal attacks against political opponents.
“The ADC candidate welcomed the principle of issue-based political debate but insisted that accountability must begin with full disclosure of public revenue and expenditure.
“Governor Aliyu should tell the people of Sokoto how much his government has received from the Federation Account from May 2023 to September 2026, how much it has generated internally, and how much has been spent.
“Tell us how much you have received before asking the people to judge what you have done with it,” Dan’iya queried.
Asking furrher, the 2027 Sokoto ADC governorship candidate, Manir Dan’Iya demanded a comprehensive account of the funds allocated to the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State during the same period, including their monthly Federation Account allocations, internally generated revenue, statutory deductions and expenditure on local services.
According to Dan’iya, publishing these figures alongside project costs, contractors, implementation timelines and evidence of completion would allow citizens to assess the performance of both state and local governments on the basis of verifiable information rather than political claims.
“The government should be able to make the relevant financial records and project details accessible to the public.
“Despite the administration’s repeated claims of achievements under its Nine-Point Smart and Agenda, many citizens continue to raise concerns about insecurity, education, healthcare, water supply, workers’ welfare, employment and the condition of public infrastructure”.
While asking if the APC led government can confirm that the scale of public spending has translated into improvements that ordinary people can readily identify and experience, Dan’Iya called for independent scrutiny of projects whose costs, implementation status or public benefits have been questioned.
He therefore insisted that allegations of inflated costs, incomplete work or expenditure without corresponding results should be examined through documentary evidence and the appropriate accountability institutions.
The ADC candidate maintained that a credible performance assessment must go beyond announcing projects, approving contracts or publishing aggregate figures. He called for a transparent comparison between funds received, funds spent, projects completed, projects still under construction and the actual services delivered to communities.
Dan’Iya appealed that
same standard of accountability should apply to the state government and all 23 local government councils, adding that public resources belong to the people and must be accounted for in a manner that permits independent verification.
Dan’iya therefore challenged Governor Aliyu to publish a consolidated revenue-and-expenditure statement covering May 2023 to September 2026, with a breakdown of Federation Account receipts, internally generated revenue, other inflows, deductions, recurrent expenditure, capital spending and allocations to local governments.
