A writer named Haruna Jimme, recently wrote an article which was prominently placed as a Guest Writer in the Nation Sunday Newspaper of December 7, 2014 with a title “Wamakko: That threat from high above” (http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/wamakko-threat-high) and also in the Leadership Sunday of December 21, 2014 with a different title “The unnecessary Threat” (http://leadership.ng/columns/396618/unnecessary-threat).
While the writer has right to his opinion the personalities he portrayed in his piece. He was nevertheless unfair in his one-sided and jaundiced article on Governor Wamakko of Sokoto and National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.
The writer while attempted to defend Governor Aliyu Wamakko over his allegation that he was threatened by Sambo Dasuki through a text message. He seems to be sincere enough by providing the so-called threat SMS which goes thus: “I have heard you, you will be hearing from me.”
It is rather unfortunate that Haruna Jimme, in the article defended and praised Governor Wamako while attacking and disparaging the person of Sambo Dasuki over the alleged SMS threat.
How could a brief message without any WORD connoting negativity or warning to be mischievously misinterpreted to be a threat to someone’s life? The wording are as harmless as friendly smile. After all we have seen media pictures of the two public officers in convivial atmospheres.
In a recent widely publicised statement by a registered United Nigerians Forum (UNFO), its North-West Cordinator, Musa Abdullahi appealed to Governor Wammako to allow Dasuki concentrate on the all-important duty of working out ways to overcome insecurity situation pervading the atmosphere rather the incessant verbal attacks on the retired military officer.
The group said that it is obvious that Wamakko is biting the finger that fed him during his times of political wilderness as he seems to have forgotten how the same Sambo Dasuki in the past took him to the then Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Maurice Iwu, to plead his case and help with his election appeal after court of Appeal in Kaduna sacked him.
The same Sambo Dasuki with Senator Umar Dahiru and the then Acting Governor of Sokoto state did mobilize Sokoto people to vote for Wamako instead of Bafarawa’s candidates. The statement further stated that that in act of desperation, Wamakko beckoned on Dasuki and late Yahaya Mahmood (SAN) to assist him overturn that controversial appeal case.
If one must accuse others of threat as the writer claimed in his write-up, it is necessary to remind him that Wamakko has multiple cases of criminal assault and human rights violation pending before the National Human Rights Commission with registration no. C/2012/029/039s/HQ. He was alleged to have physically brutalized one Abuja estate agent, Mallam Bello Usman at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, after denying him his agency fees.
We are all living witnesses to the fact that Wamakko has a similar case of assault involving Sokoto PHCN officials who were in his now infamous gustapo style unleashed physical terror for discharging their duties.
Without fear of contradiction, the current NSA, knowing the enormity of the task before him, upon assumption of office drew a thick line between his office and politicians. He knew the implications of hob-nobbing with desperate politicians who can be treacherous and unreliable and therefore distant himself from them. He was one of few top security officers who avoid unnecessary publicity just to enable him concentrate on the job.
No one will ever claim that Sambo Dasuki deploy his power against those who disagree with him. It is surprising that campaign of calumny and of hatred against Sambo Dasuki are coming from people in his state, Sokoto. We may recall how allegation that armed soldiers harassed Speaker Tambuwal at a town hall meeting in Kaduna, when the NSA rose in condemnation of the untoward act and personally wrote an apology letter to Mr Speaker even when the allegation was faulty.
I strongly appeal to Nigerians, especially Politicians to avoid politicisation of security issues and encourage our security agencies and officers to improve the levels of security measures towards protection of lives and property.
Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a Prince of Sokoto Caliphate and former Aide De Camp (ADC) to a Nigerian President in the 80s, is a humble and simple man who will rather discharge his duties responsibly rather than joining individuals and groups in unnecessary debate. His office deserves all the respect.
Labaran Saleh
Salelabaran@yahoo.com
Garki II, Abuja
