By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
IT was unexpected as Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto state and incumbent Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Sunday differ with former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa over the need to disclose the debt profile of the state inherited from the previous administration of Senator Aliyu Wamakko.
However, Bafarawa in his remarks at the state wide PDP gubernatorial campaigns in Yabo local government insisted that Governor Tambuwal must disclose the debt profile inherited from his predecessor.
The one time PDP presidential aspirant and leader of the party in the state conditioned that it would do Tambuwal no good if he fails to disclose the debt profile he inherited from the immediate past government.
Accordingly Bafarawa recalled that the incumbent governor inherited over N3bn unpaid scholarship allowances to students of the state, though noted that Tambuwal had paid N1 bn out of the sum.
However, Tambuwal in his remarks amidst a thunderous ovation while soliciting votes from electorates for a second term, said it was not of essence to make public the state’s debt profile , adding that any stakeholder in the state so interested in knowing the debt profile can go to the state Ministry of Finance” the records are there.”
Tambuwal who further pointed out that such had never happened for some obvious reasons that borders on state finance status before the public and other business partners which might affect state and corporate busines citing example of the transition between former President Goodluck Jonathan and incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari” neither did Buhari disclosed exactly what he inherited in debts nor Jonathan disclosed what he left for the current government.
” It is a secrete which should be kept as state secrete otherwise you will loose the confidence of prospective business partners”, he stressed.
On his re-election at the home front of APC gubernatorial candidate running mate, Hon. Farouk Malami Yabo , Governor Tambuwal described his presence in the town as a home coming recalling at his administration had executed a number of developmental projects in Yabo and across the state.
” We will not relent our efforts and commitment to service delivery.”
He said his administration has always prioritise education which the governor explained was key to advancing any society, disclosing that several billions had been in the sector to especially on students to encourage them and others wishing to go to school.
He said the state government had never failed to pay salaries and other entitlements of workers promptly ranging from gratuities and pension to other benefits.
” If you give us your mandate, more good things will flourish for your benefit”, he assured.
Speaking earlier in similar direction, Senator Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari, Barrister Mukhtari Shagari, noted that PDP was moving from strength to strength in grace while stressing the need for Nigerians to brace up to the task of voting competent, resilient and focused leaders that would drive their expectations to reality.
” Atiku Abubakar has the requirements to deliver the goods and transform our economy through results oriented policies and programmes.”
In the same vein, they urged the people of Sokoto state not to waste their votes on APC candidates who they described as failed choices.
” Your mandates should be for PDP candidates and never should you entertain those going round to collect details of your PVCs. They are all out to disenfranchise you.
” For us, the game is over. We are only waiting to affirm our victory at the polls through ballot”, the trio said.
