By Mustapha Sani
There’s a Hausa saying, “Ali ya ga Ali,” which loosely translates to “Ali has met Ali.” But the expression carries a much deeper meaning. It is often used when two kindred spirits meet; people whose mannerisms are similar, whose outlook on life aligns, and whose worldview mirrors one another’s.
This perfectly captures the rare harmony between the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, and his political mentor, the former governor and current senator, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. Theirs is a relationship built on mutual respect, shared vision, and a deep, almost spiritual connection to the progress of Sokoto State.
When Senator Wamakko, in his trademark political foresight, chose to nurture the then-young Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, it was out of the conviction that Tambuwal shared his burning passion for a prosperous and progressive Sokoto. Wamakko believed that the continuity of good governance lay in mentorship; in raising a generation of leaders who would build on the foundation he had laid. After all, leaders that live forever are those who recreate themselves. Unfortunately, that relationship ended in disappointment. Tambuwal charted a different course, one that prioritised political survival over legacy and loyalty.
Many would have understood if Wamakko had chosen to steer off state politics. I mean, for someone who had been politically betrayed, many even believed Wamakko would retreat into silence and focus on his senatorial duties. But the elder statesman’s commitment to Sokoto State runs too deep for apathy. Watching Tambuwal’s administration abandon and politicise his people-oriented projects was a pain he could not ignore. So, driven by the same selfless zeal that defined his governorship, Wamakko once again stepped into the ring, as always, not for power, but to rescue the future of Sokoto.
And the saying goes, those who believe always find favour in the eyes of the lord. So it was when destiny presented Wamakko with another Aliyu; Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, a younger, vibrant, and visionary public servant who had served under him with uncommon loyalty and efficiency. Ahmed’s public service record, from his days as commissioner to deputy governor, spoke of discipline, prudence, and compassion, all virtues that resonated deeply with Wamakko’s own governance style.
So, it was no accident, then, that Wamakko chose him as his political heir. And as events have shown, it was a choice both divine and deliberate. The two men do not merely share the same name; they share a passion for people, a love for development, and an unyielding belief in governance as a service to humanity.
Since taking office, Governor Aliyu has revived and completed many of the legacy projects abandoned by his predecessor; projects initiated under Wamakko that symbolised progress and equity. Among the most significant of these are the 1,000 Housing Units Project at Gidan Salanke, which had languished for years under neglect, and the Sokoto Greater Water Supply Project, designed to permanently end the state’s perennial water scarcity.
To the people of Sokoto, both projects represent a statement of intent; a bold reaffirmation that governance must transcend politics. By resuscitating these projects, Ahmed Aliyu has proven that continuity in governance is not a weakness but a mark of wisdom.
Take the Gidan Salanke Housing Scheme for instance. Conceived during Wamakko’s tenure, the project aimed to provide affordable housing for low- and middle-income families in the state. It was a bold social intervention designed to tackle growing housing deficit in Sokoto. Tambuwal’s government, however, allowed it to wither, perhaps out of political pride or misplaced priorities. Today, under Ahmed Aliyu’s watch, the estate has come alive again. Roads, water, and electricity infrastructure restored, and hundreds of families hoping to start calling it home.
The Sokoto Greater Water Supply Project tells a similar story. Initiated by Wamakko to address the state’s chronic water shortages, the project was meant to expand clean water access to urban and rural communities alike. For nearly a decade, it remained in limbo. It was an emblem of unfulfilled promises, a sad reminder of an aborted dream. But Ahmed Aliyu, true to his mentor’s spirit, revived the project with vigour. His administration has completed critical components of the scheme, including new treatment plants and modern distribution networks, ensuring that the taps in Sokoto now run with regularity.
Across the state, Ahmed Aliyu’s administration is breathing life into many other projects Wamakko started. From road networks and healthcare facilities to educational and agricultural interventions, and the restored allowances to mosques and timely release of funds to ministries and parastatals, each completed project, or initiative tells a story of trust repaid and mentorship vindicated. Wamakko must feel very proud!
But beyond the physical manifestations, what stands out most about the relationship between the two Aliyus is the moral and emotional bond they share. Wamakko is not just a political godfather; he is a teacher, a guide, and a living compass of values. And Ahmed, in turn, has shown rare humility and gratitude; qualities that have earned him not only his mentor’s blessing but also the affection of the Sokoto people.
Unlike the usual tales of godfathers and godsons at war, Sokoto presents a refreshing contrast, a partnership that works, built on sincerity and shared purpose. Wamakko has shown that his mentorship is not about control but trust, mutual respect and continuity. He understands that true leadership lies in building successors who will do even better than their masters. And Ahmed Aliyu has so far justified that faith with action.
Every initiative from the young governor bears the same hallmarks that defined the Wamakko years! Forward-looking, people-centred, impactful, and above all, sustainable. His style of governance mirrors a deep sense of empathy; his administration’s focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and welfare shows that he shares the kind of leadership style with his mentor, the kind guided by vision and can indeed transform lives.
If there’s any lesson the story of these two Aliyus offers, it is that loyalty, continuity, and vision can coexist beautifully in politics. Together, Aliyu Wamakko Magatakarda and Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto have redefined what mentorship and political harmony can achieve. They have proven that progress does not always require reinvention, that it sometimes simply requires sincerity and the courage to continue what works.
In the final analysis, the miracle of the two Aliyus is not just about shared names or mutual admiration. It is about legacy; it is about how one generation can light the torch and another can carry it without letting it dim. In Sokoto State today, that torch burns brighter than ever.
•Sani writes from Sokoto.
