The Northern Transparency Advocate Group (NTAG) has strongly condemned the Justice Mu”azu Pindiga Committee of Inquiry set up by the Sokoto State Government under Governor Ahmed Aliyu to probe the financial activities of the immediate past administration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The group described the panel’s allegations against Tambuwal’s government as “politically motivated, misleading and laughable”, insisting that the former governor’s administration remains one of the most financially disciplined in Nigeria.
Speaking at the end of a two-day seminar on “Corruption and Related Offences Against Economic Growth in Nigeria” held in Kaduna, the Zonal Coordinator of the group, Dr Murtala Abbas Tafoki, accused the current Sokoto State Government of using the committee as a tool for persecution and political intimidation.
“We find it very amusing, surprising and disappointing that Justice Pindiga, who himself has unresolved allegations of corruption, is now leading a panel to accuse one of the cleanest administrations in Nigeria of financial mismanagement.
“This is nothing but a politically sponsored witch-hunt aimed at destroying the records and achievements of the Tambuwal administration,” Tafoki said.
Tafoki described the committee’s report as “a laughing affair”, arguing that it lacks credibility in the face of what he called “widespread financial recklessness” under the current APC-led government in Sokoto.
“There is absolutely no justification, in whatever manner, for Justice Pindiga to point accusing fingers at an administration that was widely commended for prudence, transparency and accountability by reputable international organisations.
“The Tambuwal government was given a clean slate by both national and international institutions for excellent financial management, good service delivery and strict adherence to due process,” he stated.
According to the group, institutions such as the World Bank, United Nations financial monitoring agencies and CBN had previously rated Tambuwal’s government highly in terms of fiscal discipline and governance standards.
However, Tafoki alleged that the present administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu has weakened financial controls and dismantled key due process mechanisms in the state.
“The Ahmed Aliyu administration has turned Sokoto into a spending empire without rules.
“Over N114 billion was allegedly withdrawn between July 2023 and November 2025 through five commercial banks without due process or adherence to financial guidelines.
“This level of financial recklessness is unprecedented and yet the government is busy chasing a past administration that was known for discipline and prudence,” he claimed.
The group also accused anti-corruption agencies of failing in their responsibilities.
“Even the EFCC economic monitoring teams, both at the state and federal levels, have failed woefully to stop the abuse of financial procedures in Sokoto State.
“It is ironic that a government accused of massive financial violations is now pretending to be a champion of accountability,” he alleged.
The group insisted that the allegations against Tambuwal are purely political.
“This so-called investigation is not about accountability; it is about revenge, intimidation and rewriting history for political gain.
“The aim is to destroy the legacy of a government that managed public resources responsibly and served the people with integrity,” Tafoki said.
NTAG called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to redirect their attention to the current administration.
“We call on EFCC and ICPC to immediately investigate how the Ahmed Aliyu administration is spending the resources of the people of Sokoto State instead of allowing themselves to be used as tools of political propaganda,” Tafoki demanded.
The group also urged the agencies to revisit older corruption cases involving previous Sokoto administrations.
“For these agencies to prove their neutrality, they must reopen corruption allegations against the Bafarawa and Wamakko administrations as well,” he added.
On the judiciary, the group called for transparency regarding Justice Pindiga himself.
“While we commend the judiciary for resisting political intimidation, we demand the immediate release of all reports and findings on corruption allegations against Justice Pindiga,” Tafoki said.
“This is necessary to restore public confidence and prevent him from interfering in sensitive judicial matters where his integrity is already in question.”
The group, however, warned that politicising anti-corruption efforts could weaken democracy and undermine genuine accountability in Nigeria.
Middle-Belt Times 