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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal pushes luck to the edge

    When the cat is away, they say, the mouse will play. This age-long adage appeared to find its full expression in Sokoto State penultimate week in a popularity contest between Governor Aminu Tambuwal and his estranged godfather and former governor of the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

    Tambuwal had belled the cat when on August 1, he sought to rub in his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a massive rally in the state capital. Backed by 18 of the 30 members of the state’s House of Assembly and politicians from across the 23 local government areas in the state, the massive rally was seen by many political observers as a sign of how well Governor Tambuwal was in charge of the state’s political machinery.

    But that was until Wamakko, the former governor of the state and the senator representing Sokoto North in the National Assembly got wind of the incident and waved it off as nothing but impudence on the part of the incumbent governor. He wasted no time in declaring that Sokoto remained an APC state in spite of Tambuwal’s defection to PDP.

    Speaking on national television shortly after Tambuwal’s rally, Wamakko said: “Let me assure you that the Sokoto State where I come from is an APC state. The entire state is APC. Whatever you might have seen or might have been told, just take it as a mere story.

    “The people of Sokoto are behind Mr. President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. They are certainly behind Senator Wamakko, their former governor, and all other leaders who chose to remain in APC.

    “Insha Allah (by God’s grace), by Saturday or Sunday when I get back to Sokoto, I am assuring you that there is no cause for alarm.”

    His words would later turned prophetic as a counter-rally Wamakko held in the state a few days later clearly dwarfed the one earlier held by Tambuwal. True to Wamakko’s words, the entire state was in a carnival mood a day to Wamakko’s planned visit to the state. Residents in festive mood openly expressed their support for Wamakko and President Muhammadu Buhari in songs and slogans, particularly the women and youths who sang ‘Masu gudu, su gudu (anyone who wants to go can go) in apparent reference to Tambuwal and his supporters.

    Instructively, Wamakko was accompanied into town by Tambuwal’s deputy, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, among other eminent politicians from the state, in a mega rally that literally shut down the state capital and sent an unambiguous message to Tambuwal as to who owns the farm between the hunter and the squirrel.

    The foregoing state of affairs has led many to wonder if Tambuwal who became the Speaker of the House of Representatives in a fortuitous manner and gratuitously won the last governorship election in Sokoto State has not pushed his luck to a point that could spell danger for his political career.

    Seven years ago, he had become the speaker of the House of Representatives against Mulikat Akande-Adeola, the candidate preferred by PDP, the party they both belonged to. This he did with the bloc vote he got from members of the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the House.

    Tambuwal, would later tell the PDP when the party request that he should vacate his office after defecting to APC (following the merger of ACN with other parties to form APC in 2013) that the former party had no hand in his emergence as Speaker. He said although he was a PDP member at the time he emerged the Speaker due to the support he got from the opposition lawmakers and other Nigerians, it was clear that his erstwhile party was rooting for someone else to occupy the position.

    He said: “The mistake people are making is saying that the PDP made me the Speaker. The PDP candidate was Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola. Although I was in PDP at that time, I was not the party’s candidate. It was legislators from other parties and other Nigerians that presented me as a candidate, and I contested and won.”

    Indeed, if there is one political office holder who deserves to be called Goodluck in the current political dispensation, it would be Tambuwal. But not a few people believe that he might have pushed his luck to the edge after dumping the party that made him Speaker and made him governor at a time he is believed to be eyeing the Presidency.

     

  • Tambuwal fires two Perm Secs

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has ordered the compulsory retirement of two Permanent Secretaries – Suleiman Fulani and Aminu Dikko.

    A statement by the Director-General of Media and Public Affairs Abubakar Shekara said Salisu Madawaki was also relieved of his position as Commandant of the State Special Marshals.

    It added that Governor Tambuwal thanked them for the services rendered to the state and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

  • I am under pressure to run for president, says Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday said he is under pressure to run for President..

    Tambuwal, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), told associations of students, youths and resident communities on a visit to his office:

    “I have been receiving advices and encouragement from our leaders, peoples across the country and even from abroad to contest for presidency and this pressure has been mounting.”

    He added” “It Is not my making but the quantum of pressure from everywhere is because of leadership gap in the country.”

    Tambuwal said he would make his position public on the matter “in days to come”.

    On Buhari, he said: “We love President Buhari and that was why we supported him in 2015 unconditionally and while doing that we are too sure that he will seek for reelection after his first term but when things are wrong we have to tell him.

    “We still believe of his integrity, patriotism and courage but these are not enough for a leader.

    “We all know that there is vacuum in government occasioned by his disposition probably because of his old age or health condition that is why Nigerians are yearning for younger ones to lead this country”, he pointed out.

    The leader of the groups, Bashir Gorau, pledged their support for Tambuwal’s presidential ambition, saying: “We are tired of waiting; we want you to declare your position now.”

  • IYD: Sokoto youth leaders seek support, root for Tambuwal

    A coalition of youth organs under the auspices of  ‘Sokoto state Youth and Students Leaders For Tambuwal’ joined to celebrate youths day, calling for a sustained efforts to allow their active participation in the process of national development.

    The coalition which seem to be rooting for ‎Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said” If we back out from Tambuwal, our generation has failed.

    Speaking on Monday in Sokoto at a symposium in commemoration of the 2018 International Youth Day‎ organised by the coalition, a youth Ambassador, Comrade Nafiu Bello Basakkwace said youths deserve to be given their rightful place in the activities of governance and general developmment.

    He noted with joy the signing recently of the ‘Not too young to run’ Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The theme of this year’s event is” Safe Spaces for the Youth”

    According to Basakkwace” we constitute the most vibrant segment and nucleus that can drive the nation on the path of prosperity.

    ” We are closing ranks to sustain the drive by creating space for our even and collective participation.”

    The youth Ambassador who also described Governor Tambuwal as the needed choice of a leader‎, said they were ready to extend to him their unflinching support, noting that he was capable of delivering results.

    ” We will ensure he realises his passionate ambition by supporting him ‎to the destination of success”, he assured.

    He however, frowned at a recent comment against Governor Tambuwal, describing him as “too in a hurry.”

    He said” How can you say that a 52 year old is too in a hurry? In developed worlds, we have presidents at 39yrs and below 50‎yrs.”, he wondered.

    ‎Delivering a lecture, Comrade Sanusi Yakubu who recalled that the day which was set aside by the United Nations and first celebrated in year 2000, was initiated to focus on 15 fundamental issues relating to socio-economic, education, health, drugs, among other related issues bordering on youths development and survival.

    According to Yakubu, youths involvement in state affairs would encourage positive changes in development process.

    ” ‎They are themselves means and solution to problems if given the flow of space to actively participate in nation building”, he pointed out.

    Comrade Yakubu further observed that there has been consistent clamour globally for youth to enjoy opportunities inorder to demonstrate their abilities for positive change.

    ” Is therefore, of enormous importance to allow youths drive the desired positive change‎ for the benefit of the country.

    He charged youths to take up the purposeful challenge of changing the narrative while urging government to map out policies to encourage collaboration that would promote youth aspirations to leadership positions.

    While noting that government was a critical player and stakeholder in developing youths, Yakubu expressed concern over the attitude of most youth on social media platforms.

    He cautioned youths on how they use social media platforms negatively by promoting and provoking hate and derogatory posts.

    ” You have to be alive to your responsibility as leaders of tomorrow. Be careful and always conscious of messages and comments you pass across on social media platforms‎.

    ” I want to draw your attention to the dangers associated with hate and derogatory speeches and comments either by direct post or sharing others post that are sensitive to negative reactions”, he specifically mentioned.

    In his remarks, Director General, Media and Publicity to the Government of Sokoto state, Alhaji Abu Shekara urged the youths to rejuvenate and emancipate themselves ‎from all kinds of negative vice and own up to responsibilities that defined them as symbol of feature leaders.

    According to Shekara who was represented by Director Mobilisation and Enlightenment, Sokoto state Media Corporation, Nura Ibrahim Dogon Daji, such was the only panacea to advancing their desire for participation in development process.

    He further hailed Governor Tambuwal for ably dislodging as well wiping out all forms of ‘area ‎boys’ activities in the state especially within the state metropolis with a view to giving new sense of order to the youths who were dominant in the negative life.

  • Wike, Tambuwal, R-APC, Ohanaeze, senator fault DSS’ siege

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) and apex Igbo socio-political group Ohaneze Ndigbo have condemned the siege on the National Assembly.

    They spoke in separate statement following the invasion by men of Department of State Services (DSS).

    Wike: action condemnable

     

    Wike declared that the assault on the National Assembly by the security forces was condemnable and has the capacity to truncate the nation’s democracy.

    He  said: “All well-meaning Nigerians should stand up against this dictatorship.  All over the  world, this has never happened.

    “Nigerians should not stand aloof and watch what is going on. This will consume so many  people if we don’t rise against it.”

    Wike called on National Assembly members to stand firm in defence of the nation’s democracy.

    Tambuwal, who applauded the immediate removal of DSS DG from office, described the action as a direct and unacceptable indication of contempt for the sanctity of the legislature as bastion of democracy.

    He said, as a former lawmaker and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, he  confounded that anyone could contemplate and  carry out such an act, commending Acting President Yomi Osibanjo for his intervention.

    Incident disgraceful, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo

     

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Achi-Okpaga, described the incident as disgraceful and disappointing.

    “Recent events in Nigeria, climaxing in the blockade and prevention of marked adversary senators and House of Representative members from gaining access into the legislative building altogether, are not coming to us as surprises.

    “Instead, they are sprouting in alarming crescendos in crystal vindication of our stand that only a restructured Nigeria can thrive henceforth”.

    “The event of today in particular is raw as it is a clueless brandishing from the executors. Nothing more can be an impeachable offence than this callous desecration of the National Assembly, which is the symbol of democracy,” it said.

    A statement by R-APC National Publicity Secretary Kassim Afegbua said: “We condemn the continued partisanship of the security agencies against the interest of Nigerians. We wish to insist that these categories of persons be denied visas or have their visas revoked on account of their anti-democratic conducts, which have consistently threatened the very foundation of our fledgling democracy…

    “The sacking of the Director-General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) is good riddance to bad rubbish. Rather than devote energies and synergies into the Boko Haram fight and other cases of insecurity to give Nigerians a new lease of life, the DSS under Lawan Musa Daura has become one of a partisan lot against the collective interest of the State and Nigerians.”

    It said the Acting President should as a matter of urgency sack the Inspector General of Police, who has also shown careless disdain against the Nigerian people.

    “Let us for once instill some sanity in our democratic practices. Let us assume our role as the giant of Africa both in deeds and practice. We cannot afford to continue to tolerate these brazen abuses, invasions and drunken use of raw power against institution of democracy, in a 21st century world where the attraction should be more about development and growth.”

    ‘It’s bad example to other African democracies’

     

    Senator Isa Misau said the siege at the National Assembly was a “bad example to other African democracies”.

    Misau, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, said barricading the gate of the assembly complex and denying some legislators access into their offices was a gross illegality and affront on democracy.

    Misau is one of the senators, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People Democratic Party (PDP).

    He told newsmen while stranded at the entrance of the assembly complex that legislators were representatives of the people and were also elected to protect the principles of democracy.

     

     

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  • ‘Tambuwal should account for bailout funds’

    A partnership of groups of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State has insisted that defecting Governor Aminu Tambuwal should account for the bailout funds received from the federal government.

    The group recounted that the governor received various sums of money to ameliorate the problems in the state.

    “On behalf of APC support groups, we demanded Governor Tambuwal to account for N18.3 billion Paris Club refund, N38.7 billion bailout funds, N10.5 billion salary/pension arrears, N8.7 billion CBN/FGN agric interventions fund and N2.2 billion ecological funds from federal government’’.

    The Elders Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto state which disowned Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s defection to opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the governor should account for the money.

    Also recounting the assistance the state has received from President Muhammadu Buhari, the elders committee noted that the administration constructed Runjin Sambo-University road in Sokoto metropolis.

    “Buhari’s government executed Maradi junction border road, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega road, Shagari Dam project, establishment of 8 Divisions of Nigerian Army and ecological project among others,’’ the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Bello Gada, said.

    Gada explained that all groups have joint partnerships for the success of President Buhari and APC in 2019 elections.

    Prof. Lawal Bashar, from APC Adalci Buhari Sak Organization, also alleged that Tambuwal had crippled local government administrations in Sokoto state as they were not doing anything during his tenure and workers salary were not being paid at when due.

    Bashar described the administration as the worst in the history of the state and stressed that the present administrations in the nearby states of Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states were far better.

    He added that governor’s exit from APC had become a relief and noted that APC would surely win all elective positions in 2019 elections.

  • Tambuwal versus Wamakko: Who holds the ace?

    One held on August 1, the other three days later. Both held in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate. It was a show of strength for two former allies, now political adversaries: Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

    In 2015, Wamakko shut his door against other aspirants and railroaded Tambuwal into office as his successor. Tambuwal was then Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Fast forward to a little over three years after, Tambuwal and Wamakko are on different pages politically. The governor last Wednesday dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He described the APC as the home of the corrupt and said it was time Nigerians rejected prison democracy practised by the APC-led Federal Government. His defection rally witnessed a massive crowd.

    It was planned to be a statement of his popularity in the state, but his erstwhile godfather fought back three days later with a crowd, which if described with any word other than massive will amount to injustice.

    Since these shows of strength by these two gladiators, analysts are of the view that both men are ‘on ground’ politically. Each of them also controls sizeable members of the House of Assembly and other big wigs in the historical state.

    At this stage, analysts are at a loss as to who will have the upper hand. What is not in doubt is that neither can lay claim to being sure of landslide victory if the polls are opened today.

  • ‘Saraki, Tambuwal, Ortom defections won’t affect Buhari’s re-election’

    The APC yesterday explained that the defection pf Senate President Bokola Saraki and three governors to the PDP will not affect President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said the defectors lacked the political clout to undermine the goodwill of the President at the grassroots

    Nabena said: “I can tell you authoritatively that the defections will not affect the President’s re-election. It is a public knowledge that Saraki’s popularity is limited to Kwara. He does not have any power to determine what happens in Kogi or other North Central states where the President still enjoys substantial support.

    “Please note that Saraki’s popularity is limited to Kwara alone. He has to contend with latest agitation from certain people who are now questioning what he has done for the state in the last 15 years. You will recall that when the deadly Offa robbery took place, there was no single Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in the state to confront the robbers. That shows lack of development.

    “When you talk of Tambuwal, you all know that he is not in control of Sokoto State. His godfather Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, whose structure he used to become governor, is still with us. You have seen what happened when Wammako visited Sokoto on Saturday.

    “In Sokoto, the deputy governor, two senators, nine members of the House of Representatives, 12 out of the 30 State House of Assembly members and the massive supporters in the state are with us

    “For Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom is facing crisis of acceptance. He has to contend with those who have been working to ensure that PDP is still a strong party in the state former Governor Gabriel Suswam. He will also prove that Senator George Akume is not a household name in Benue. Time will tell who controls Benue in due course.

    Regarding other defecting lawmakers, most of them must get the tickets to run first while it is certain most of them will not win their re-election.

  • Saraki, Tambuwal, Ortom, others at PDP NEC meeting

    Defecting Senate President Bukola Saraki and two governors – Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Samuel Ortom (Benue)-  attended yesterday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    There were also Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Senator Barnabas Gemade, who returned to the PDP last week.

    Saraki attributed events of the past week to the “mercy of God”, saying that it was beyond human wisdom.

    He said: “Anybody that believed this could happen based on the wisdom of just human beings does not know or is not being realistic. It is by the mercy of Almighty God that this has happened.

    “So, today, as we thank the Almighty God for allowing us to be alive to witness this, for allowing those that are able to be here today, those of my colleagues who had a long journey, tough journey, tortuous journey to be here, those on the side of PDP who made it possible for it to happen, it was because of the intervention of the Almighty God.

    “I am happy to see some of my colleagues here who have given me faith in this country, who have made me believe there are still men of character, that there are still men who are still ready to make sacrifices for this country.”

    Saraki went on: “This sacrifice that we are all making, is just the first part because we are doing this for Nigerians and that exercise will not be complete until we make a better country for our people.”

    PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus assured Saraki and others who defected to the party recently that their efforts would not be in vain.

    Describing Saraki as key in the renewed struggle to “free” Nigeria, Secondus praised the defectors, saying history would be fair to them.

    Said he: “The bold steps you took to return to the party where you truly belong, is a sacrifice not for yourself but for Nigeria and history will be fair to you.

    “Today is the beginning of the great journey to freedom, the great journey to free our people and rescue this country from the damage done to it by the APC in the last three years”.

    The party chairman expressed regrets that agencies of government established to protect the people had been deployed by the government to assault institutions of democracy.

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku said: “It’s time Nigeria is freed or move 100 years backward. Defectors to the PDP saw tomorrow and they decided to change the situation.

    “Some of us wake up crying every other day because you see pictures of your people being killed in their homes because they don’t have AK-47 rifles. I cry more than I celebrate.

    “We must change this government because, with the defectors, the PDP will do better for Nigerians. Corruption is not about stealing money alone. Killings, nepotism and allowing killers to go free are also corruption.”

    Ortom said he left the APC worse than he joined the party in 2014, stressing that he lost everything he brought into the APC.

    In a statement from his office, Saraki urged members of the PDP  to work together in defence of democracy.

    “Therefore, I want to make an appeal on behalf of all of us — when we get back to our constituencies, please, let us continue to open our arms and receive the people who have the numbers that will give us victory come February 2019. This is because we are all here to work towards a better and greater tomorrow on behalf of all Nigerians.”

    Saraki thanked the party under the leadership of Secondus, National Chairman and Senator Walid Jibrin, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, for welcoming him, his state’s Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Ortom and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, back to the party.

     

  • Wamakko: Tambuwal has ‘made worst decision ever’

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday got a plea from some of its leaders – stay firm.

    Three governors, some federal and state lawmakers, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, have defected from the ruling party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    To political leaders in Sokoto and Nasarawa states, among others, the defection will not affect the support for President Muhammadu Buhari and the party.

    Party stakeholders led by Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al Makura urged members to remain steadfast. Senator Abdullahi Adamu said the defectors were envious of Buhari’s achievements.

    They spoke at a meeting in Lafia, the state capital.

    Senator Aliyu Wamakko, the political leader in Sokoto State, chided Governor Aminu Tambuwal for his “worst decision” to defect to the PDP.

    Tambuwal left with 18 of the 30 House of Assembly members but two senators, seven House of Representatives members, 12 House of Assembly members, Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and state APC Chairman Sadiq Isah Achida remain in the APC.

    Wamakko, a former governor of the state, in an interview aired on BBC Hausa Service yesterday, said Sokoto remained with Buhari, adding that Tambuwal’s defection will be of no consequence.

    He said: “Politics is always full of surprises, but it is pitiable for a young man like him (Tambuwal) to make such decision.

    “It has been long that Sokoto people stopped running politics because particular persons are in it. And as a result of that, if someone quits and says he is leaving Buhari, that will be surprising and unfortunate.”

    He added: “He is a very promising young politician, with full potentials.

    “But, may be something else is guiding his decision. This is the worst decision he has taken in his life.

    “At his age, he should not be in a hurry. He is a fine young politician.  I have a lot of respect for him.

    “If he had taken the consideration of the people he is representing and the people of Sokoto State, he should not have gone into the PDP .’’

    Wamakko maintained that, the APC would remain in government in Sokoto and President Buhari would win the presidential election in the state.

    He said: “If I have any issues regarding repairs of APC, leaving the party is not the ideal thing, and that won’t show one knows what he is doing.

    “Issues should be ironed out; truth be identified and be worked with. The people I’m representing in Sokoto are in support of Buhari and their loyalty to APC is intact and as a result of that, I won’t disappoint my people.”

    Wamakko, who is also the leader of the Northern States Senators Forum, cautioned against rating the crowd that witnessed Tambuwal’s defection as evidence of his popularity. He said: ‘’ Whatever crowd you might have seen or told, just take it as a mere story. As a matter of principle, it is not in my character to abuse people, but, what I am assuring is that Sokoto State is an APC state .’’

    He hoped that Tambuwal would rescind his decision and return to the APC.

    Wamakko described the defections as an opportunity for stock-taking by the party. “ Hence, it is coming out stronger,” he said, adding: “In the next few days or months, Nigerians would be surprised how the APC is going to fare .”

    To him defection is “the beauty of democracy”. “People should be given the freedom to be where they want to be . It is nothing unusual. ‘’

    Achida reaffirmed his membership of the APC yesterday, saying:  I have not moved anywhere. As  I’m talking to you now, I still occupy the seat of the party’s chairman.”

    It was learnt that Niger State Governor Sani Bello made last minute frantic efforts to convince  Tambuwal not to defect.

    An associate of the governor, Chief Ray Murphy, said Bello travelled to Sokoto to meet with Tambuwal.

    “He went to Sokoto to dissuade Tambuwal from defecting, but Tambuwal left for his personal reasons and to actualize his presidential ambition. That is his position,” Murphy said.

    In Lafia, Adamu reiterated that those who defected had seen their failure in the party, adding that the APC remained battle-ready.

    He said “We do know for a fact that what is happening in the political space of this country is the handiwork of democratic dissidents who do not see good in what President Buhari is doing.

    “They are being goaded by people who are highly jealous of Buhari’s achievements in terms projects, social welfare and well-being of the people; achievements those before him failed to deliver.”

    Al-Makura urged the supporters to remain focused, assuring that in 2019, the APC would lead other states to ensure victory for President Buhari.

    APC National Vice Chairman  North Central Alhaji Suleiman Ahmed Wambai, claimed that three PDP governors would join the APC in the next few days.