Why Sokoto governor is his own opposition – Bello
As political opposition in Sokoto State struggles to find cohesion and direction, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, says that Governor Ahmed Aliyu has,
As political opposition in Sokoto State struggles to find cohesion and direction, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, says that Governor Ahmed Aliyu has, in the absence of an opposition, effectively assumed the role of an opposition to himself —by constantly scrutinizing his own performance. And by constantly reminding himself of the admonitions and responsibility the Almighty Allah has placed on his shoulders, to govern the people with justice and equity.
“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. 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,” said Danchadi.
He said the governor's leadership style is driven less by external criticism and more by an intense internal pressure to deliver results within a limited timeframe.
According to Danchadi, the governor came into office with a strong awareness that time was not on his side, given what he described as the eight years of underdevelopment by the previous administration. The urgency has translated into a governance style that emphasises measurable impact in critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
He further emphasised that the Governor Aliyu administration prioritised high-impact interventions, and in the 2026 budget, he allocated over 70 per cent to capital projects while maintaining a strict no-borrowing policy. It has also enforced fiscal discipline, introduced digital revenue systems, and ensured that projects are only awarded when funds are available.
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Beyond the execution of projects, Danchadi said the defining feature of the administration is its willingness to question itself and raise its own standards. This, he said, is reflected in the governor's decision to subject his 9-Point Smart Agenda to a midterm review—an uncommon move aimed at testing whether the policies remain effective and are aligned with his long-term development goals.
“The review process is about asking whether today's solutions will still make sense tomorrow,” said the commissioner.
That the urge to develop and address outstanding liabilities is also evident in how the administration has handled inherited obligations, particularly the over ₦14 billion in unpaid gratuities owed to retirees. Rather than defer the burden, the government immediately released ₦4 billion and instituted a structured monthly payment plan—₦500 million to clear the backlog and ₦300 million to cover new retirees —effectively tackling a sensitive issue head-on.
Danchadi argued that such decisions reflect a broader pattern: a government that is constantly measuring itself against its own higher expectations rather than the low bar of critics. “He is not waiting for the opposition to point out any shortcomings, because the governor is always asking those questions himself.”
The commissioner also pointed to several tangible outcomes to justify his position that the Governor Aliyu administration has justified the mandate of the people of Sokoto State. More than 350 roads have been constructed across the state, schools and healthcare facilities have been rehabilitated, and over 800 nurses and midwives have been recruited to strengthen service delivery. The implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage and the clearing of debts owed to tertiary institutions have also helped restore confidence in the capacity of the government to deliver services.
Despite these gains, the commissioner insisted that Governor Aliyu remains unsatisfied.
“He has set a very high standard for himself and continues to emphasise that more work lies ahead,” he said, adding that the governor has directed members of the State Executive Council to intensify efforts rather than celebrate the early successes.
On the political front, the commissioner maintained that it has not stifled opposition, but expressed concern over what it described as a weak and fragmented opposition in the state, but that the absence of a strong opposition has not made the governor go to sleep.
Instead, he said, the governor's motivation to succeed has filled that gap and is continuously pushing the administration to raise its own bar.
As the 2027 governorship election approaches, Danchadi assured that the governor will campaign on a “verifiable report card” of achievements and not on promises. Despite the confidence about a guaranteed second term, the governor will campaign in the 23 local government areas of the state. The Commissioner also revealed that in several Local Government Areas, the common sentiment is no longer about the governor returning, but rather on how soon, with several communities asking the governor not to bother coming to campaign because his work has already spoken for him.
According to Danchadi, Governor Ahmed Aliyu's governance record has been so pervasive that it has left the opposition confused.
