The Sokoto State Government has come under public scrutiny following the distribution of garri, kuli-kuli, and sachet water to residents as part of its Ramadan feeding programme, for which N1 billion was reportedly budgeted.
The programme, initiated under the administration of Governor Ahmad Aliyu, was designed to provide relief to residents during the holy month of Ramadan. However, controversy erupted after details of the distribution surfaced on social media.
A political commentator, Mallam Jabir, drew attention to the issue in a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. He stated that the Sokoto State Government had allocated N1 billion for the Ramadan feeding initiative.
“Ramadan feeding program in Sokoto state. The Sokoto state government budgeted 1 billion naira for the program,” he wrote.
The claim quickly gained traction online, prompting further reactions and commentary from other social media users.
Another X user identified as OurFaveOnlineDoc amplified the discussion by sharing photographs purportedly showing items distributed under the scheme. The images allegedly depicted small portions of garri, kuli-kuli, and sachets of drinking water arranged for beneficiaries.
In his post, OurFaveOnlineDoc questioned whether the items shown in the images were commensurate with the reported budget of N1 billion.
“Please look at these pictures. Look at it very closely and zoom in. This is the government-funded Ramadan feeding program in Sokoto,” he wrote.
He further stated, “Sokoto state govt claims they budgeted 1 billion naira for what you are seeing here.”
The user also made allegations of financial misconduct, accusing government officials of misappropriating funds meant for the programme.
The posts have since generated widespread reactions, with many social media users expressing concern over the alleged disparity between the allocated funds and the items distributed.
Some commentators called for transparency and a detailed breakdown of how the N1 billion budget was allocated and spent. They urged the state government to clarify the scale of the programme, the number of beneficiaries, and the logistics involved.
Others, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions solely based on social media posts. They called for verification of the authenticity of the images and confirmation that the items shown accurately represented the entirety of the distribution effort.
As of the time of reporting, the Sokoto State Government had not publicly responded to the allegations circulating online. There has been no official statement detailing the structure of the Ramadan feeding programme or addressing the concerns raised.
Ramadan feeding programmes are common in several states across Nigeria, particularly in predominantly Muslim communities. Such initiatives are typically aimed at supporting vulnerable residents with food items to ease the burden of fasting during the holy month.
The controversy in Sokoto highlights the growing role of social media in shaping public discourse and holding public officials accountable. Allegations of financial mismanagement often gain rapid attention online, increasing pressure on authorities to respond.
Observers note that large-scale feeding programmes usually involve significant logistical planning, including procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution. Without official clarification, it remains unclear whether the items shown in the viral images represent the full scope of the programme or only a portion of it.
The development has intensified calls for greater transparency in public spending, particularly in social intervention programmes funded with substantial public resources.
Residents and commentators alike are awaiting further details from the Sokoto State Government to clarify the situation and address the concerns raised regarding the N1 billion allocation.
Until an official response is issued, the matter continues to generate debate across social media platforms, with questions lingering over the adequacy and management of the Ramadan feeding initiative in Sokoto State.
