By Mohammed Bwago
There are defining moments in the life of a people when they must make a conscious decision anchored on concrete experience based on the realities of the present as lived. For the people of Sokoto State, the 2027 governorship election should fundamentally be a referendum on the stewardship of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Between May 29, 2023, and the present day in 2026, his administration has been encountered daily in the workings of public institutions, in the responsiveness of governance, and in the degree to which policies have translated into a better life for the people. So it won’t be difficult for them making up their minds.
The key question before the good people of Sokoto State is both simple and consequential: has Governor Ahmed Aliyu performed creditably enough to warrant a second term? There is, to be sure, a constitutional dimension to this question. Section 180(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that a governor shall hold office for a term of four years and may be re-elected for one further term. In that sense, the governor stands on a firm constitutional ground; but legal eligibility is only the threshold. While the law confers the right to contest for a second term on him, it is the people who confer legitimacy—and that legitimacy must be earned through a record of service.
In Nigeria’s political environment, governance is often assessed through a familiar checklist—roads, healthcare facilities, and schools constructed. Though these indicators are vital, but they do not fully capture the essence of leadership. Leadership is about the gradual strengthening of institutions and the creation of an environment where citizens can go about their daily lives with greater confidence. It is within this broader understanding of governance that Governor Aliyu’s “9-Point Smart Agenda” invites reflection. The 9- Point Smart Agenda was not merely a campaign document; it is a meticulously structured roadmap covering education, healthcare, water supply, agriculture, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy, religious affairs, and the economy.
It’s to the governor’s credit that since 2023, his administration has averaged roughly 10 completed projects per month, totaling over 350 completed initiatives across these key sectors. This pace suggests a leader that thrives on a disciplined alignment between words and actions.
Central to this progress has been the Governor’s unwavering commitment to securing the lives and property of the people, which he identified early on as the most pressing challenge of his leadership. Recognizing that the war against the terrorists required local reinforcement, he established the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, a supplementary security structure that now operates with over 40 Hilux vans and 700 motorcycles for rural surveillance. Beyond this local initiative, his administration has distributed over 170 patrol vehicles to federal security agencies, increased personnel allowances in volatile areas, and provided the Department of State Services (DSS) with upgraded tracking systems. With the operationalization of a new Air Force base and a military base under construction in Illela LGA, the Governor has moved aggressively to ensure that banditry and terrorism find no safe haven in the Seat of the Caliphate. And he is still committed to doing more.
This secure environment has paved the way for a massive agricultural revolution, positioning Sokoto as an emerging agro-industrial hub. Understanding that agriculture is the state’s economic lifeblood, the Aliyu administration has made and continues to make effort to shift the sector from subsistence to a strategic, productive enterprise. This is evidenced by the completion of large-scale irrigation schemes like the Kware Irrigation Scheme, enabling year-round cultivation and higher crop yields. To directly support farmers, the government recently flagged off the sale of 102 trucks of subsidized fertilizers, with Urea and NPK prices slashed by over 60% to ensure affordability. These investments in farm inputs and value-chain projects for staples like rice, onions, and garlic are already translating into increased rural prosperity and food security.
The hallmark of Governor Aliyu’s administration that deserves profound appreciation is his masterful management of the state resources. In a national landscape where many states are struggling with debilitating debts, Sokoto State has emerged as a rare example of fiscal discipline. Remarkably, the Governor has executed his vast array of developmental projects without borrowing a single kobo, maintaining a firm “no-borrowing” policy that would protect the state’s financial future. By optimizing internal revenue and prioritizing capital expenditure—which accounted for a staggering 72% of the 2026 budget—the governor has demonstrated that substantial work can be accomplished when vision is paired with financial prudence. This debt-free approach ensures that the progress recorded would not become a burden for the next generation, reflecting a governance model deeply rooted in accountability and long-term sustainability.
The infrastructure renaissance in Sokoto under Governor Aliyu is perhaps the most visible argument for continuity. As of early 2026, more than 300 township roads have been completed, with dozens of additional urban and rural projects currently ongoing. These are not just statistics; they are constructed roads that have reduced travel time for traders, solar-powered streetlights that enhance security for night commerce, and bridges that connect previously isolated rural communities to the state’s economic heart. In the critical sector of water supply, a long-standing challenge for the state, the administration has achieved a milestone with the completion of a several key projects.The target is the injection of 40-million-gallon water per day into the system. This, alongside the rehabilitation of water intake facilities, and boreholes has brought much-needed relief to communities that had been plagued by water scarcity for decades.
Perhaps the most compelling case for a second term lies in Governor Aliyu’s investment in the future of Sokoto’s citizens. In the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets, the administration consistently met or exceeded international benchmarks for human capital development. In 2025, 25% of the budget was allocated to education, surpassing the UNESCO benchmark of 15–20%. This funding has translated into the construction, renovation of hundreds of schools, the timely payment of examination fees for secondary students, and the recruitment of qualified teachers. Similarly, the 2026 budget allocated over 16% to health, exceeding the 2001 Abuja Declaration target. The result has been the revival of dilapidated primary healthcare centers across the 244 wards, the introduction of free maternity care for pregnant women, and the ongoing construction of new general hospitals. These investments signal a shift from short-term fixes to long-term sustainability. By prioritizing the health and education of the youth, the Aliyu administration is building the foundation for a robust and competitive economy.
Again the machinery of government in Sokoto State is beginning to function with a different rhythm. Administrative processes have become more streamlined, reducing the reliance on the informal intermediaries that once complicated basic transactions. Among civil servants, there is a growing perception that directives are followed through with sincerity and punctuality. The administration has also taken significant steps to revitalize the workforce, including the recent recruitment of 3,000 new workers to enhance productivity across MDAs and the settlement of a massive backlog of unpaid gratuities and pensions inherited from the previous administration. The prompt and consistent payment of salaries, often ahead of festive periods to ease the financial burden on families, has restored dignity to the civil servants.In land administration sectors, digital land certificates and standardized timelines have reduced bureaucratic hurdles, strengthening investor confidence and the rule of law. These are foundational reforms. They do not always lend themselves to newspaper headlines, but they are essential for a state that values reliability.
The argument for continuity of Governor Aliyu is rooted in the recognition of emerging stability. It is an acknowledgment that the governor should be given the opportunity to consolidate these gains. Public sector reforms and institutional strengthening rarely produce immediate outcomes because they are processes. Disrupting these processes prematurely risks returning the state to the very instability that current efforts have made great efforts to frontally address. In contrast to the era of his predecessor, where many felt governance was totally absent, Governor Aliyu has leaned toward a more deliberate and focused model. His administration has shown a willingness to recalibrate, as seen in the recent reviews of the 9-Point Smart Agenda to address gaps in infrastructure and economic expansion.
As 2027 approaches, the responsibility lies with the voters to move beyond the allure of dramatic promises by the opposition and engage with the real substance of governance. They must ask: Has daily life become more navigable? Are institutions more responsive? Is governance more accountable? While significant challenges remain—such as youth unemployment and the need for further economic diversification—the presence of a coherent direction provides a basis for an informed choice. The 2026 budget consultations, which saw direct input from citizens across all three senatorial zones, demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and transparent development. This participatory approach has ensured that the government remains a servant of the people.
Ultimately, the decision facing Sokoto’s electorate is philosophical. It is a choice between disruption – which they had experienced between 2015-2023 and consolidation; between the appeal of new beginnings and the discipline of sustained progress. Rewarding good governance is about judgment—careful, reflective, and grounded in lived experience. If the people of Sokoto conclude that governance under Ahmad Aliyu has moved from promises to execution, then the case for a second term becomes more than a matter of preference. It becomes a statement of principle—affirming that progress should be reinforced rather than interrupted.
By supporting the second term ambition of Governor Aliyu to continue his steady course, Sokoto State can be sure that the promise of meaningful and lasting change will be fully delivered. This is not just a vote for him; it is a vote for good governance, the stability, and the future that he has spent the last four years building. The path is clear, the foundation has been laid, and the momentum must be sustained for the benefit of every citizen of the Seat of the Caliphate.