8th September, 2023
By Muhammad Lawal
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State has leveled serious allegations against the state government, asserting that a staggering N20 billion has been squandered within the first 100 days of the administration.
Alhaji Usman Bello-Suru, the State PDP Chairman, made the accusation in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, on the 100th day of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.
According to the PDP, the government has spent N20 billion on the beautification of Birnin Kebbi amidst daunting challenges across the state.
“People of Zuru Emirate have suffered from an unmotorable road for a very long time, and N7 billion would have been enough to solve their problem.
“It is on record that the state Governor spent close to N2 billion on domestic and international trips with no bearing on human development when over 10,000 citizens are scattered and displaced as a result of banditry,” Bello-Suru added.
He also alleged that the government had spent billions of naira on “white elephant projects centred in one local government area, Birnin Kebbi.”
PDP accused the Kebbi government of neglecting the health sector, sharing “toxic” fertiliser with farmers, awarding meaningless contracts, and being incompetent.
Additionally, they faulted the award of the N10 billion contract for the completion of the state secretariat project.
According to the PDP, the government should give priority to alleviating the “poverty that is killing our people on a daily basis in every corner of the state”.
Reacting to the claims, Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Nasir Idris, said all the allegations were baseless.
He said that the PDP was only jittery about the level of transformation brought about by the APC government in the last 100 days.
“I want to confirm to the general public that many of the PDP members are now in support of the policies and programmes of the present administration in Kebbi in view of the developmental efforts of the governor.
“It is not a hidden thing; some PDP members willingly went on air commending Gov. Nasir Idris for achieving a lot in just a limited period of time. In fact, I saw many PDP members who attended the 100 days in office celebration,” he added.
Idris advised the PDP to join hands with the governor to take the state to a greater level of development instead of engaging in baseless allegations.
NAN