By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Northern Transparency Advocate Group (NTAG) has faulted the Justice Mu’azu Pindiga Committee of Inquiry set up by the Sokoto State Government, describing its allegations against the immediate past administration of Sen. Aminu Tambuwal as politically motivated.

The group said the Tambuwal administration remained one of the most financially disciplined governments in Nigeria, dismissing the panel’s claims as misleading and lacking credibility.

NTAG made its position known at the end of a two-day seminar on “Corruption and Related Offences Against Economic Growth in Nigeria” held in Kaduna.

Speaking on behalf of the group, its Zonal Coordinator, Dr Murtala Tafoki, accused the current Sokoto State Government under Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of using the committee as an instrument of persecution and political intimidation.

Tafoki described the allegations against Tambuwal’s government as “politically sponsored and laughable,” insisting that the former governor’s administration was widely acknowledged for prudence, transparency and accountability.

He expressed surprise that Justice Pindiga, whom he claimed has unresolved allegations of corruption, was appointed to head a panel probing what he described as one of the cleanest administrations in the country.

According to him, the committee’s report lacks credibility, especially when compared with what he called widespread financial recklessness under the current APC-led government in Sokoto State.

Tafoki said Tambuwal’s administration received commendations from both national and international institutions for excellent financial management, good service delivery and strict adherence to due process.

He added that institutions such as the World Bank, United Nations financial monitoring agencies and the Central Bank of Nigeria had rated the Tambuwal government highly in terms of fiscal discipline and governance standards.

However, Tafoki alleged that the present administration had weakened financial controls and dismantled key due process mechanisms in the state.

He claimed that over N114 billion was allegedly withdrawn between July 2023 and November 2025 through five commercial banks without due process or compliance with established financial guidelines.

According to him, the level of alleged financial recklessness under the current administration is unprecedented, yet attention is being shifted to a past government known for discipline and prudence.

The group also accused anti-corruption agencies of failing to carry out effective oversight, alleging that economic monitoring teams of the EFCC at both state and federal levels had not acted decisively to prevent financial abuses in the state.

Tafoki described it as ironic that a government facing allegations of massive financial violations was presenting itself as a champion of accountability.

He insisted that the investigation of Tambuwal’s administration was driven by political motives rather than genuine accountability, adding that the move was aimed at intimidation and rewriting history for political gain.

The group called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to redirect their focus to the current Sokoto State administration.

It urged the agencies to investigate how the present government is managing public resources and to avoid being used as tools of political propaganda.

NTAG also called on the agencies to reopen corruption allegations involving previous Sokoto administrations, including those of Attahiru Bafarawa and Aliyu Wamakko, to demonstrate neutrality.

On the judiciary, the group called for transparency concerning Justice Pindiga, urging the release of reports and findings on corruption allegations against him to restore public confidence.

The group, however, warned that politicising anti-corruption efforts could weaken democracy and undermine genuine accountability in Nigeria.