From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has dismissed recent claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding certain projects executed under his administration, describing them as false, mischievous, and an attempt to claim credit for initiatives they did not undertake.
The senator made the statement through his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Malam Bashar Abubakar Sarkin Hausawa, during a press briefing at the state press centre in Sokoto.
“Our attention has been drawn to a deliberate campaign recently embarked upon by the PDP leadership in Sokoto State. In their latest act of desperation, the PDP has resorted to recycling old video clips and reports, recorded more than eight years ago, in an attempt to discredit the current administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the leadership of our party under Senator Wamakko,” Sarkin Hausawa said.
He noted that the videos, described as outdated propaganda, are being presented as fresh evidence of the PDP’s alleged performance, aiming to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the APC leadership in the state.
“The so-called documentaries are being released in segments, carefully packaged with lies and distortions to hoodwink the people of Sokoto State. Their aim is to cling to a self-serving narrative of performance that existed only on paper, while ignoring the ongoing work of Governor Aliyu to transform the state across sectors,” he said.
Sarkin Hausawa stressed that the PDP’s real concern is the growing popularity and rising profile of Governor Aliyu, whose achievements in less than two years, he said, have already surpassed the PDP’s eight years of unfulfilled promises.
He urged the people of Sokoto State to remain vigilant and not be deceived by what he described as baseless antics, highlighting visible progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, rural development, and governance under the APC-led administration.
The APC media aide also dissected specific claims in a recently circulated video. He said the PDP falsely claimed credit for the Asari Water Scheme, which was initiated by Senator Wamakko to improve water supply in Sokoto metropolis and surrounding areas.
“The scheme has 40 wells serving Bakin Kusu, Gidan Sanda, parts of Gidan Dare, Ruggar Wauru, Farfaru, parts of Gwiwa, Bado, and Arkilla. Unfortunately, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal neglected the project, and it stopped functioning five years ago. Only one well out of 40 was operational at the end of his tenure,” he said.
Sarkin Hausawa added that Wamakko’s administration had extended similar schemes to Runjin Sambo, Ruggar Liman, Gagi, Mana, Tamaje, and Old Airport, reaching 70 per cent completion. He alleged that the succeeding administration failed to complete the remaining projects effectively, leaving many wells non-functional.
He also challenged claims regarding housing estates, agricultural colleges, nursing schools, and boarding schools, saying that the PDP’s assertions were misleading.
For instance, the Kalambaina housing estate was completed by Wamakko’s administration, while the Gidan Salenke estate was left unfinished by the subsequent government. Similarly, boarding schools at Shagari, Maruda, and Illela were completed under Wamakko, with no additional projects executed by the PDP administration.
“The present administration has since awarded renovation and extension projects for the Sanyinna boarding school, providing a more conducive learning environment. Additionally, the AGILE programme is executing fresh projects in Sanyinna to complement the government’s efforts,” Sarkin Hausawa said.
He concluded that the PDP’s claims are deliberate distortions aimed at downplaying the tangible achievements of the current government and misleading the people of Sokoto State.
