PDP kicks against N3.6b loan in Sokoto

The party has therefore cautioned commercial banks against granting loan requests from the Sokoto State government under Alhaji Wamakko.“We are aware that the current administration of Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the executive governor of Sokoto State, which has only a few months left in office, with the probability that the party in power may not […]

The party has therefore cautioned commercial banks against granting loan requests from the Sokoto State government under Alhaji Wamakko.
“We are aware that the current administration of Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the executive governor of Sokoto State, which has only a few months left in office, with the probability that the party in power may not form the next administration in the state, has taken steps to secure a huge bank loan.
“It is in the light of this development that we, as responsible stakeholders and the party in waiting to form the next government in Sokoto, consider it necessary to sound this cautionary notice to you,” the state legal adviser of the PDP, Nasiru Sahabi stated in a ‘caution notice’ addressed to all the commercial banks in Nigeria.”
The state executive had obtained the approval of the state House of Assembly for the loan, which was meant to finance capital projects.
But the PDP moved swiftly, alleging that it was a ruse to get money to fund its 2015 electioneering campaigns.
“The real motive for seeking the loan is to raise funds to finance its 2015 election expenses, but they are trying to hide under the cover of funding capital projects,” state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma stated. He wondered why the governor, who has barely nine months remaining in office, would seek to leave such huge debt behind for his successor.
However, countering the allegation, the state government said, “The Sokoto State government is very responsible and prudent. It has no reason to source for such funds for 2015 election campaigns.
“Let me reassure the good people of Sokoto State and Nigerians that it is good governance that wins elections, not billions of naira, “the Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Malam Nasir Danladi Bako stated.
Defending their action, speaker of the state House of Assembly, Muhammad Lawal Zayyanu, explained that the state government did not go in search of the loan. He said the bank made an offer, which the state government accepted so that it could use it to complete some capital projects. Zayyanu said the House approved the request because it found it necessary for ongoing projects, adding that it was for the benefit of the people.  
Similarly, the PDP rose against Governor Wammako, wondering why he hosted the APC zonal rally. It said the rally was a waste of state’s resources on what he termed “worthless partisan programmes.”
 State chairman of the PDP added that it was surprising that, out of the three APC governors in the zone, it is only that of Sokoto that always financed their programmes.
“Governor Wamakko chaired the APC convention committee, where its leaders were elected in Abuja. He hosted the North-West meeting of the party in Kaduna and is now about to host another jamboree in the name of zonal rally in Sokoto. In all these activities, he has always wasted Sokoto State money,” the PDP alleged.
Once more, the APC dismissed this accusation with a wave of hand, describing it as sheer idleness, indolence and hatred for its progress.
“We in the All Progressives Congress (APC) believe that the PDP has no moral authority to accuse Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) of using state funds to host the APC zonal rally. We expect the overzealous PDP to use facts and figures to buttress their laughable arguments, not just mere misleading stories,” Aminu Bello Sokoto, APC state secretary asserted.
He added: “The state chapter of the PDP should have questioned the continued waste of the country’s resources on jamborees being organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to mobilise support for President Jonathan’s re-election. The so-called rallies by the PDP are believed to be state-sponsored.
“Furthermore, it appears that the present state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma had forgotten how his boss, former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa arrogantly used the state resources to create and sponsor the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) nationwide.
 “The accusation by the PDP clearly shows its weakness to face the APC, the party that is ready to wrest power from it come 2015.”
He described Governor Aliyu Wamakko as a disciplined and transparent leader who will not use state funds at the detriment of the electorate.
 Concerned citizens who spoke with Sunday Trust said the ongoing row may not be unconnected with the long standing political rivalry between Governor Aliyu Wamakko and former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa. In the build-up to the 2015 elections, observers say the two major parties in the state are apparently in a fierce battle to win the state.