Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State has said attempts to induce members of the state House of Assembly to impeach him would never work, stressing that nobody can buy the conscience of Sokoto people.
“Sokoto remains the seat of the caliphate where money cannot buy people’s conscience”, he said.
The governor spoke shortly after receiving a letter conveying the resolution of the house titled: “Re-Matter of Urgent Public Importance”, in which 27 out of the 30 members passed a vote of confidence on his government.
In the letter, which was delivered to the governor by the speaker, Alhaji Lawali Zayyana, the state assembly declared that: “The undersigned would like to use this medium to denounce the current spate of abuses of human rights and the constitution as being witnessed by attempts of the federal government to lure through cash incentives our honourable members to queue-in the wanton disregard of law and order as exemplified by the government at the centre.
“It should be noted that our commitment to the course charted by your good self for the development of our state is resolute and therefore non-negotiable by any means to those that do not mean well to our dear state and the country.
“In view of the laudable achievements recorded by this administration, we therefore restate our unflinching loyalty and confidence in Governor Wamakko, as a person and the leader of our state and party the APC”, Zayyana added.
Wamakko, who seemed to be overwhelmed with joy over the resolution, said: “I feel humbled by the unique action of the 27 members of the Sokoto House of Assembly to denounce attempts by the Federal Government to lure them through cash incentives to disregard law and order. This is an indication of their love for Sokoto and belief in the rule of law.
“To me this action sends a message to those idle minds in Abuja who are trying to destroy what Nigeria has achieved since independence. The Federal Government has failed in view of the wanton corruption, insecurity and human rights abuse but instead of addressing these problems, it is busy trying to create trouble in Sokoto”.
He continued: “So, let me pass a message to these idle minds in Abuja that Sokoto is not a place where money can buy people’s conscience”.
Wamakko advised unscrupulous politicians in the state, who have been working in tandem with the Presidency to undermine his administration, to show respect to the people of Sokoto.
According to him, they could only deliver Sokoto to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), if they show love and respect to the people.
“I want to convey this message to the agents who have been telling the Presidency that they will deliver Sokoto to PDP. Let me tell them that Sokoto State House of Assembly and the people are safe from them and they cannot deliver Sokoto by hypocrisy but by showing respect to the people”, he stated.
The Sokoto governor berated Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark and repentant militant, Mujaheed Asari Dokubo, for making incessant unguarded statements capable of bringing down the country.
He further decried the tribal and regional discrimination pervading the country at the moment, stressing that the All Progressive Congress was determined to create a new Nigeria where human life was respected.
“I feel ashamed when people talk of Ijaw. For God’s sake we have over 200 tribes in Nigeria and I wonder why people should be harassed by the word Ijaw. We are looking forward to a country where Nigerians will be equally treated.
“Anytime I read the newspapers where this old man Edwin Clark and Dokubo speak, their unguarded statements are capable of bringing down this country. It is sad that our country has reached this level”, Wamakko lamented.
He added that no amount of harassment and intimidation would deter the APC from its rescue mission as the party had resolved to remain resolute until it achieves its goals.
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