Hajj 2024: PDP urges Sokoto govt to provide rebates for intending pilgrims

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sokoto State chapter has called on the State Government to emulate other states in Nigeria and provide rebates on the Hajj fare for the 2024 pilgrimage.

The Party in a statement signed by its spokesman, Hassan Sanyinnawal, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday said it notes with concern and sincere amazement that, “while governments of states like Rivers have since provided subsidies for their intending Muslim faithful to enable them to pay the Hajj fare, that of Sokoto State, which the center of the Islamic faith in the country, has remain unconcerned and mute on the issue.

“It has come to our notice that so far, the Federal Government and six states in the country have given aid to pilgrims to offset the high fare for this year’s pilgrimage. These are Kebbi, Rivers, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano.

“The Sokoto State PDP wishes to remind the APC regime in our state that all previous administrations, despite the lean resources available to them, had provided subsidies to pilgrims towards a successful Hajj, which is one of the pillars of Islam. 

“We, therefore, see no reason that the current administration which is enjoying an unprecedented availability of funds, should fail to sustain the noble gesture.

“Our party once again, draws the attention of Governor Ahmed Aliyu to the need toly the sufficient public funds in his care on the provision of amenities and services needed by the people, which include potable water, sanitation, subsidy on education and crucial religious activities like the Hajj, instead of wasteful spending on white elephant projects like fencing up streets, decorative lights on Government House Streets and purchase of armoured official jeeps at exorbitant costs to the people“.