The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to Sokoto state Governor Dr Ahmad Aliyu, urging him to refrain from engaging in political vendetta against PDP loyalists in the state. In a statement released by the party’s state publicity secretary, Hassan Sahabi, the PDP expressed concern over the current administration’s alleged withholding of pensions belonging to a significant number of retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General, particularly those who voluntarily retired shortly before the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state last May.
According to the PDP, its investigations have revealed that these civil servants, who dedicated decades of their lives in service to the state, were denied their statutory entitlements for the months of May and June, either for genuine reasons or as a result of perceived political motives. The statement further highlighted that among the victims of this purported political vendetta by the APC government are Permanent Secretaries who were appointed several years ago, including a few who were promoted to their positions during the tenure of former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.
Moreover, the PDP noted that several former members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers, and Senior Special Assistants have not received their salaries for May 2023, despite serving in their respective capacities until May 29. The party expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the mistreatment of individuals who have merely failed to align themselves with the political whims of the current administration.
The PDP, through its statement, has placed the State Government on notice, demanding the immediate settlement of the outstanding pensions and salaries owed to the affected public servants, including their entitlements for July 2023. The party cautioned that failure to comply with this ultimatum would leave the PDP with no choice but to encourage the affected former public servants to seek redress through appropriate legal channels.
The PDP also expressed deep concern over the State Government’s preoccupation with establishing unnecessary committees aimed at targeting political opponents while innocent citizens in the state continue to face daily threats from armed bandits, resulting in loss of lives and frequent kidnappings. The party firmly asserted that it will not idly stand by and witness the mistreatment of citizens or the gross abuse of their constitutional rights by the APC regime, irrespective of partisan sentiments.
The PDP’s call for justice and fairness in the treatment of public servants and citizens alike highlights the growing tensions between the PDP and the APC in Sokoto state. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the Sokoto state government will respond to the PDP’s ultimatum and whether a resolution can be reached to address these grievances.
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