Sokoto: Mixed grill over democracy dividends

Sokoto is one of the states in the country where inauguration did not take place on May 29.  There was no governorship election in the state following tenure extension secured by Governor Aliyu Wamakko alongside four other governors, sequel to the re-run elections held in their states in 2008 which they individually won. Nonetheless on Democracy Day many people voiced out their feelings on the Wamakko administration in Sokoto State since his assumption of office in 2007. As reported by our correspondent, the feelings were a mixed grill.

For Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, he is convinced that he has not failed in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Sokoto State. But the verdict of the people has drawn mixed reactions. While some gave the governor pass mark, others have raised a number of concerns which, according to them, need to be redressed.

Wamakko, who faced series of court cases challenging his election, said in a recent interview: “We have done our best to deliver despite the distractions. At least, Sokoto between 2007 to date is not the same Sokoto before we took over. For an administration to establish a state university, construct a vital project like the Central Bank roundabout fly over, establish the Wurno Irrigation Scheme, Wurno College of Agriculture, build about 2,000 housing units, commit so much resources on the Independent Power Project, improved quality of education and health, commit huge resources for the completion of the abandoned Murtala Mohammed Hospital, the building of a permanent site for the NYSC, empower so many women and youths who are now productive, uplift the morale and listened to the aspirations of its workers among others, what yardstick would you use to say it has not performed?”

Ibrahim Al-Mustapha is the member representing Rabbah constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly and a former founding member of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP). Al-Mustapha who is now member of the ruling PDP spoke glowingly of Governor Wamako.

Speaking with Daily Trust he  holds that  Wamakko has not only discharged his responsibility as a governor but has also defined how a leader should lead, listing what he termed laudable achievements recorded within the last three and half years as governor of this state.

In the same vein, some traders, physically challenged citizens, civil servants who have benefitted from some programmes of the state government had positive remarks to give.

But concerns remain over the state government‘s inability to complete a number of these projects. There are also complaints on social vices such as the menace of area boys in the state, street begging and lack of portable water among others.

Malam Aminu Yushau, a Sokoto-based businessman said: “Many of the projects of this administration remain uncompleted; take the independent power projects for instance, we were told it would be ready in 2009 but till date, it is yet to commence. The state government should try to actualize this project on time; it will help the business community in the state.”

Nafisatu Rufai, a student says what bothers her is the number of area boys and area girls in the state. “There is need to completely eradicate the menace of area boys. These youths should be gainfully employed in the interest of the state as they constitute social nuisance. The youth empowerment programme of the administration should be made effective to achieve the desired end. The spirit of entrepreneurship needs to be inculcated in the youths to make them more useful to themselves and the society.”

For 58-year-old Hajiya Maimumna Musa, her concern hinges on the issue of street begging. While noting the increasing wave of begging in the states by the young, old, physically handicapped and able bodied girls and boys, men and women, Hajiya Maimuma called on the state government to rid the society of this social problem through an effective social programme.

On his part, the deputy governorship candidate of the CPC in the last election in Sokoto, Ibrahim Magaji Gusau observes that “not a single project has been completed by the administration; no medicine, power supply is seen, even in the local governments, there are no projects”.

Similarly, a House of Assembly candidate under the ACN, Yusuf Dingyadi said:  “To me there are no changes because people are still suffering from lack of portable water in both urban and rural areas, lack of motorable roads in the rural areas, collapsed bridges and culverts are still there and nothing has been done to alleviate the sufferings of the majority villagers.”

Dingyadi adds: “Majority of people of Sokoto State are wallowing in abject poverty because there are no tangible programmes for development in the state. The government failed woefully. It had no clear programme to alleviate the suffering as many people hardly afford three square meals in their family. In short, there is nothing to take home about the democracy celebration in my state.”

For Ibrahim Adamu Tudun Doki much more is left to be desired in poverty eradication, education and health sector. “How can a child learn anything in a class that has 100 students and in most cases, no teacher? That is why quality of education is so poor.  Primary health centres with no nurses, no doctors, so what is the point, there should be leadership and political commitment to delivering service to the people. When you look at money voted in the last four years and what is on ground, there is still a long way to go.”

With one more year before the Wamakko administration winds up to face the next governorship polls in the state, many say his re-election would largely depend on how he confronts the social and developmental challenges confronting the state.

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