Sokoto State Government has said Governor Ahmad Aliyu operates as his own one-man opposition, constantly scrutinising his performance despite what it described as weak political opposition in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, said the Governor’s leadership style is driven by internal accountability and a strong sense of responsibility rather than external criticism.
“Governor Aliyu is his own fiercest critic—driven by consciousness of divine responsibility, a constant process of self-scrutiny and a deep sense of moral responsibility,” Danchadi said.
”In a sense, the Governor is his own one-man opposition to himself. And it’s this mindset that has kept the administration focused, restless, and unwilling to be complacent despite visible achievements.”
According to him, the governor assumed office with a sense of urgency to address what he described as years of underdevelopment, translating into a governance style focused on measurable impact across key sectors such as security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Danchadi noted that the administration prioritised high-impact interventions, allocating over 70 per cent of the 2026 budget to capital projects while maintaining a strict no-borrowing policy.
He added that the government has enforced fiscal discipline, introduced digital revenue systems, and ensured projects are only awarded when funds are available.
He said a defining feature of the administration is its willingness to evaluate itself, citing the midterm review of its 9-Point Smart Agenda as evidence of efforts to align policies with long-term development goals.
“The review process is about asking whether today’s solutions will still make sense tomorrow,” the commissioner said.
On inherited liabilities, Danchadi said the government has tackled over ₦14 billion in unpaid gratuities owed to retirees by releasing ₦4 billion and implementing a structured monthly payment plan of ₦500 million to clear the backlog and ₦300 million for new retirees.
He argued that such actions reflect a broader governance pattern of setting higher internal standards rather than responding to external criticism.
“He is not waiting for the opposition to point out any shortcomings, because the Governor is always asking those questions himself,” he said.
Highlighting achievements, the commissioner said the administration has constructed more than 350 roads, rehabilitated schools and healthcare facilities, and recruited over 800 nurses and midwives. He added that the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage and settlement of debts owed to tertiary institutions have boosted public confidence.
Despite these gains, Danchadi said the governor remains focused on further improvements and has directed members of the State Executive Council to intensify efforts.
On the political landscape, he maintained that although opposition exists, it remains fragmented, but insisted that this has not led to complacency within the administration.
As the 2027 governorship election approaches, the commissioner said the governor would campaign based on a “verifiable report card” of achievements rather than promises, adding that he plans to engage voters across all 23 local government areas of the state.
Danchadi added that in some communities, residents have expressed satisfaction with the administration’s performance, saying the Governor’s work “has already spoken for him.
