Three months to the 2012 governorship election in Sokoto State, the scramble for the state number-one seat has taken a new twist, especially within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following recent development that seems to favour Governor Aliyu Wamakko. There are plots and counter plots. Correspondent ADAMU SULEIMAN captures the scenario.
As internal democracy, princi ples and consistency have become scarcein the Sokoto governorship tussle within the ruling party in the state, tension, anxiety and fear appear to have boosted Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s political interest.
Senator Idris Gada, an influential political force in the state, is still convinced that the strength of his opposition against Wamakko is unshaken. He determined to soldier on in a bid to achieve change in the state.
Wamakko’s political train has hit the highway and thus, is unstoppable. His hope presumably hinges on the overwhelming support his aspiration has received from other states governed by PDP especially in the North. Despite that, he has been campaigning vigorously, perhaps more than other aspirants.
The incumbent’s effort at contributing to consolidation of the party’s profile in the April presidential poll in the state, thus giving President Jonathan above the minimum requirement of 25 per cent needed by him in the state may also work for him.
Little is being heard about Senator Gada and his supporters since Wamakko’s return from Abuja last week, preparatory to the December 9th screening ahead of the party’s primaries slated for December 17.
Notwithstanding the fact that the political psychology of individuals and groups in Sokoto is about personality and not the party, sources pointed out that the path seems brighter for the incumbent governor whose strategists have been up and doing since his return.
“The issue is that the people of Sokoto are after personality and not party and indeed, that personality, for now, is Aliyu,’’ a source declared.
Also, the wind of stiff opposition within the ruling party in the state, particularly among the old folks – Mai Tagumi – seems to be waning.
The Mai Tagumi had for long opposed Wamakko’s continuity for what they described as marginalisation, neglect and outright denial of rights and privileges as enshrined in the party’s constitution, a stain being reviewed against his ambition at different fora.
It was a spectacle when voices of Wamakko’s supporters that cut across sexes and ages chanted solidarity songs in support of the governor in a motorcade that drove from the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto to Government House.
Former Sports Minister Yusuf Suleiman who last week joined the race has submitted his form at the party’s headquarters. He is said to have coordinated well with other against the governors.
ACN joins the fray
Caught in the plot the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) described former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa’s recent statement against the party as dubious, given the fact that the former Sokoto State governor was deficient in some of the requirements by the party and found it difficult to measure up with the enlightened, educated and industrious members of the party.
Before now, Alhaji Isah Bajini Galadanci was the party’s standard flag bearer for the 2012 election. The Bafarawa’s ardent political loyalists are said to have dumped the party to join forces with his mentor.
However, in a release signed and issued by the party’s Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Abdullahi, ACN maintained that the party was not surprised at Bafarawa’s action, adding: “He is a novice and his decision to go back to ANPP is nothing better than to return to the drawing board and learn the ropes from people like Sani Yeriman Bakura.”
Abdullahi stressed that the party was intact, while he maintained: “We will like to dissociate ourselves from the statement credited to the former state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, that all the leaders of ACN had denounced their membership of the party.”
Bafarawa’s choice of his former political front, ANPP as last resort aimed at unleashing opposition against Wamakko in the caliphate is said to be faced with some hiccups as the party fervently enjoys the consistency of former Governor Sani Ahmed which by extension, is a long term ally of the current Sokoto state governor.
Bakura is equally portrayed as leader of the party even as the political score sheet of the one-time second largest party has dropped dramatically with the party currently controlling three states – Borno, Yobe and Zamfara.
The fear of accommodating Bafarawa in the ANPP may subject him to serious scrutiny if he is not rejected for his past antics and failed romance with ACN after putting DPP in the trash pot.
Dahiru Yusuf Yabo, a former Water Resources Commissioner, is said to be warming up for the ANPP ticket after bidding bye to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for being denied political legitimacy to contest in the 2011 party primaries.
Although, sources abreast of his political activities said he had conditioned his aspiration on the platform of ANPP in order to align his forces with his former boss.
Either way, Suleiman, may not find it easy in view of the growing support being enjoyed by Wamakko in the caliphate.
His ambition, may be threatened by the fact that Gada is becoming accepted in the Easter zone which is the home base of the former minister, too.
But the ex-Minister believes that the state will prosper under someone like him, adding: “I think any right-thinking person from the state that has the capacity to lead, no matter how popular or not, needs to join hands with us to achieve results by exploring the potentials of the state.’’
Also, he was once quoted as saying: “I know my competence and skills as well as what I can bring on to develop the state. I am sure we can make the state a model by Allah’s grace. Sokoto State people should rally round our direction and work for development’’
The Jonathan connection
Only last week, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido visited Wamakko in Sokoto reportedly to deliver what he described as a special message of support for his candidature from President Goodluck Jonathan, the party and governors, especially those of the North-West zone.
Lamido, while delivering the message, was said to have maintained that “there is no space for anyone to penetrate the party’s principles and procedures for consistency and sustainability.
“I am here to deliver to you a special message of support and goodwill from the president, party and your counterparts across the country and the North-West Zone that we are solely behind your candidature. You have done well to consistently put the party on sound footing in the state by consolidating a number of achievements in politics and development of people of Sokoto State. We are proud of your profile and commitment.” He added: “So, my brother, I bring you goodwill, felicitation and well-wishes of Mr. President, our party, PDP and your colleagues, particularly those from the North-West zone. To us, Aliyu Wamakko is the governor of this state because you have been doing very well. We adore you, we cherish you and we believe in you.”
Responding, Wamakko said he had never doubted President Jonathan’s support for his candidature, saying: “I know Mr. President and I have been relating with him right from the time he was the deputy governor of his state. I know him as a man of peace and integrity who always loves the progress of this country. I always tell my supporters not to panic over those speculations.
“Therefore, on behalf of my person and the entire people of Sokoto State, we want you to convey our sincere gratitude to Mr. President, leaders of our great party, PDP and my colleagues for their sustained support. I am assuring you that I will never fail you.”
However, it was said that the president’s Special Adviser on Political Matters had denied the message that Lamido credited to Jonathan.
“Governor Lamido is a politician and he has the right to say his mind and opinion. The president is not backing or supporting anyone as far as Sokoto politics is concerned,’’ he was quoted to have said.
However, compelled to sway the unfolding political scenario in the caliphate in favour of Wamakko, a socio-political group, Alun Nan Dai (that choice, Aliyu), has reacted to statements by Senator Gada. In an interview, the chairman of the group, Squadron Leader Aminu Bala Sokoto (Rtd) described the aspirants, Mahe Dange, Abubakar Babangida, Aliyu Dikko and others as disgruntled politicians whose grouse was hinged on the fact that they were rejected by their people at the 2011 primaries.
According to Sokoto, their antics would not see the light of the day in view of their pedigree in the last eight years which threw PDP into extinction and failed to return a single seat for the party in subsequent elections after 1999.
The landmark achievements recorded by the Wamakko administration, the group chair enumerated, has significantly changed the socio-economic status of people in the state in many directions, especially in the areas of provision of water, electricity, healthcare services, transportation, agriculture, roads, education and commerce.
Whichever way the political pendulum will finally swing in the state will depend on what happens in a matter of weeks in the state and Abuja.
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Sokoto 2012: The plot thickens