Manir Dan’iya, an African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto, has criticised the state over rising poverty and poor accountability that allegedly hindered development.

Mr Dan’iya made the remarks in response to the United Nations Development Programme report ranking Sokoto third among Nigerian states most affected by multidimensional poverty.

In a statement signed by the candidate’s spokesman, Aminu Abubakar, on Tuesday, Dan’iya said the development should prompt the government to reassess its priorities.

The ADC candidate said the ranking raised questions about how public spending affects residents’ living conditions. He challenged the All Progressives Congress-led administration to demonstrate how funds received by the state and its 23 council areas had improved access to education, healthcare, clean water, electricity, security and employment.

“The Multidimensional Poverty Index report by the National Bureau of Statistics placed Sokoto first among states in multidimensional poverty, with 90.5 per cent of its population affected. The two reports used different assessment approaches, but both highlighted the need for urgent action to address poverty and its underlying causes,” Mr Dan’iya stated.

The ADC candidate criticised what he described as misplaced development priorities, arguing that investments should focus on projects that directly improve people’s living standards rather than beautification and infrastructure projects with unclear economic benefits. He suggested a poverty-reduction programme centred on job creation, support for small businesses, modern agriculture, vocational and digital skills, improved education and healthcare, clean water and rural infrastructure.

Mr Dan’iya pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would prioritise poverty reduction through measurable targets, transparent reporting and programmes designed to improve economic opportunities for vulnerable households.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto government described the demand for accountability over public revenue as unnecessary, saying allocations to states from the Federation Account were already available through official public channels.

In a statement, Abubakar Bawa, spokesman for the Sokoto government, said the administration of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu was committed to prudence, accountability and transparency. Mr Bawa argued that the government regularly publicises decisions of the State Executive Council, including approvals for project implementation.

He challenged Mr Dan’iya to explain the achievements of the administration of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal, in which the ADC candidate served as deputy governor, rather than question the present government’s management of public resources.

“The previous administration left behind unpaid liabilities, including pensioners’ gratuities, electricity bills and student registration and tuition fees,” the government alleged.

It said the present administration had cleared inherited liabilities, including outstanding payments to students, and implemented the new minimum wage for state and local government workers. According to him, the government has also recruited 3,100 workers for various ministries, departments and agencies, 2,400 health workers and 1,550 workers for the Sokoto Marshall security outfit.

Mr Bawa listed road infrastructure, security, water supply, education, healthcare and rural transformation among the sectors receiving attention under the present administration. He said some projects awarded but abandoned by the previous administration, including the Rijiya Flyover and Tashar Illela Road project, had either been completed or were at various stages of completion.

Mr Bawa said the present government would seek re-election based on its record of achievements, while challenging Mr Dan’iya to present the achievements of the administration in which he served as deputy governor.

(NAN)