By Our Correspondent
There are speculations within Sokoto political circles that the administration of Dr. Ahmed Aliyu is facing internal pressure after reports emerged of opposition-linked names being removed from the state government payroll. The development has drawn criticism and raised questions about fairness in public employment.
Opposition figures in the state say the removals appear “suspicious” and targeted. They argue that civil servants and political appointees perceived to be aligned with opposition parties were struck off without prior notice or clear explanation.
The alleged payroll action is said to have triggered unease within APC Sokoto. Party stakeholders fear the move could deepen divisions and damage the current government’s relationship with political actors outside the ruling bloc.
Those raising the alarm claim the removals were not based on administrative audit alone, but on political considerations. They say the timing and pattern of the delistings suggest an attempt to weaken opposition structures ahead of future political engagements.
Dr. Ahmed Aliyu’s administration has built its public image around transparency and integrity. Critics now argue that the alleged payroll clean-up contradicts that posture, while supporters say any payroll sanitization is normal public service reform.
As of press time, the Sokoto State Government has not issued an official statement clarifying the criteria used for the payroll review or confirming how many names were affected.
Efforts to get a response from the Director-General of Media to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Abubakar Bawa, were unsuccessful. Calls to his line rang severally but were not answered. The silence has fueled further speculation.
Some affected persons say they only discovered their names were missing when salaries failed to drop. Others claim they have served for years and have no clear link to any political party, raising questions about due process.
Labor and governance observers note that payroll reviews must follow due process, including notification, verification, and right to appeal. Without that, they warn, such exercises risk being seen as punitive rather than reform-driven.
Within APC, reactions are mixed. Some members support cleaning the payroll to block ghost workers and fraud. Others worry that if the exercise is perceived as partisan, it could alienate neutral stakeholders and energize opposition mobilization.
Opposition leaders are demanding immediate reinstatement of affected persons pending investigation. They also want an independent audit of the payroll to determine whether the removals were administrative or political.
Opposition leaders are demanding immediate reinstatement of affected persons pending investigation. They also want an independent audit of the payroll to determine whether the removals were administrative or political.
Analysts say personnel decisions in a politically charged environment carry consequences beyond finance. They note that perceptions of fairness directly affect public trust, staff morale, and service delivery in the state.
The controversy continues to loom over APC Sokoto. Stakeholders say clarity from Governor Aliyu’s administration will be key to dousing tension. Until the government explains the process and criteria, speculation and political friction are likely to persist.
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