APC lawmaker accuses Governor, party leaders of corruption
A Federal House of Representatives member representing Gudu/Tangaza in Sokoto State under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Hon. Sani Yakubu has openly accused key members of his own party, including the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, as well as the party leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, of various acts of corruption and mismanagement of funds during a press briefing in Sokoto.
Arewa PUNCH reports that this latest accusation makes it the fourth time within a space of two months that the lawmaker would be making such allegations against his party and its chieftains in the state.
The lawmaker who was elected on the platform of the ruling APC accused Wamakko and Gov Aliyu of prioritising their children’s education abroad while neglecting the less privileged families, alleging that they sent their children to study in the UK.
Their actions, he noted, were in contrast with those of the previous administration, which he stated supported the education of the poor in the state.
Yakubu, in a video currently going viral on social media, further accused the state leadership of alleged mismanagement of the resources, specifically through what he called “the illegal contracts” related to a fence project.
The Green Chamber lawmaker alleged, “We have witnessed unnecessary demolitions and confiscation of property.”
He also condemned what he termed as the state and party’s leadership focus on personal gains over the welfare of the citizens.
Yakubu challenged the state leadership to provide evidence of productive projects worth N50 million executed in each of the 23 local government areas of the state to justify the federal allocation received so far at the places they recently visited for campaign purposes.
“We give the governor a two-week ultimatum to disclose the management of local government funds,” he declared.
Querying further, he asked, “What has been done with the additional N89 billion supplementary budget?
“I am the shield of innocent Sokoto people from the tyrannical government,” Yakubu stressed, even as he vowed to protect the interests of his constituents at any cost, “even if it means risking his life if necessary.”
The NASS member further chided that the Sokoto Government House resembles a “Bureau De Change,” alleging it has become a front for financial misappropriation.
He called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate these occurrences.
Yakubu, who also raised concerns over the poor security situation in the Tangaza/Gudu zone, accused the state government of failing to adequately support local vigilantes due to perceived elitism.
However, he confirmed that there were plans to run a parallel office for the stat ruling APC in the state.
Also speaking in his remarks, Senator Ibrahim Lamido emphasised the need for progressive leadership in the state.
He lamented the lack of accountability running into almost N3 billion and which is alleged to be part of the flooding relief fund that was given to the state by the federal government.
When contacted, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the ex-governor and the leader of APC in the state, Bashar Abubakar, dismissed the statement of the lawmaker completely.
He said the former governor was not ready to exchange words with the lawmaker and his co-travellers, whom he said were only looking for cheap popularity.
“No issues to be dragged with those people. They are only looking for popularity,” Abubakar noted.
Arewa PUNCH made further efforts to speak with the state Commissioner for Information, Sambo Bello Danchadi, but these were not successful as his line was not available as at the time of filling this report.
