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Tag: Wamakko

  • ‘Use your PVCs to end dismal PDP in Sokoto’

    AHEAD of the soon to be conducted 2019 polls, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has urged electorates in the state to wisely use their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs), to end the administration of sitting Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in the state for its dismal performance in the last four years .

    Wamakko made the call in Sokoto at the formal inauguration of the APC state campaign committees for the Sokoto North Senatorial District, as well as the eight Local Governments in the zone.

    They are Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Wamakko, Kware, Silame, Binji, Gudu and Tangaza according to a statement issued to reporters Thursday night by Bashir Rabe Mani, Special Assistant to the Senator on Media and Publicity.

    Read Also: PDP not a threat to Buhari’s re-election — Keyamo

    Represented by the Zonal Campaign Coordinator, Alhaji Tsalhatu Sidi Mamman, a former Commissioner in the State, Senator Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, sermoned ‘” The people of the state should judge for themselves and vote out the current administration in the state.

    ” This is because the confidence, trust and respect in it had for long been eroded as the people have not gotten the much expected dividends of democracy like they happily and tangibly did between 2007 and 2015.

    ” Consequently, we should be the judges for ourselves and come out on February 16 and March 2, 2019, to massively vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all Candidates of the APC, at all levels. ”

    The APC lawmaker and immediate past Governor in the state said the party holds the sanctity of the people in high esteem, while it has mapped out myriad of people-oriented programmes and policies, for all Nigerians.

  • Wamakko donates 2 m books to Sokoto pupils

    Northern Senators Forum (NSF) Chairman Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has donated 2 million exercise books to primary schools and secondary school pupils in the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.

    The gesture, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Bashir Rabe Mani, was part of the senator’s perennial assistance to the beneficiaries.

    Also, the Special Assistant on Youths and Students Matters to Wamakko, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Suleiman Mahmud, “it is the yearly support given to the pupils to enhance their studies”.

    He added: “We kick-started the distribution of the books at Ibrahim Dasuki Model Primary School, Nana Girls’ Secondary School and Tafida Aminu Model Primary School, all in Sokoto metropolis.

    “So far, so good, as the exercise is going on smoothly across the state. The Senator Without Border deserves a pat on the back.”

    Some pupils who spoke with our reporter hailed Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North, for the gesture.

    They hailed him for investing in their future and the future of the state and Nigeria.

    The beneficiaries noted that education is the only lasting legacy that can be bequeathed to them.

    They urged other elected and appointed officials as well as wealthy individuals to emulate the former governor.

  • Sokoto PDP accuses Wamakko, APC of destroying its office, property

    THE Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and some people, said to be suspected thugs working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), of attacking its presidential candidate’s campaign office in the state.

    The PDP also said suspected APC thugs allegedly attacked the property of other party members in the state capital on Sunday night.

    But the APC, through its State Chairman, Alhaji Sadeeq Isah Achida, denied the allegation.

    The chairman said the party was not aware of such incident.

    He said: “It was between the Attahiru Bafarawa and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal factions of the PDP.”

    The ruling PDP in the state condemned what it called the “unwarranted” attack on its members by suspected thugs of the APC.

    Addressing reporters at Dogon Daji House on Maiduguri Road in Sokoto, PDP’s State Chairman Ibrahim Milgoma said suspected APC thugs destroyed car windscreens, glasses and window glasses at the party’s campaign office for Atiku.

    He said: “The attacks were carried out at three locations, including Atiku Abubakar campaign headquarters on Kano Road, Sokoto Cinema home of Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu and the home of Sarkin Alhazai at Gobirawa, Sokoto.

    “Unprovoked thugs caused mayhem, destruction of the property of innocent passers-by with weapons under the watch of the senator.

    “A similar attack was also carried out by the opposition members at the popular ‘Welcome to China’ mobile phone and accessories sales complex at Gobirawa area in Sokoto where over items valued at over N500,000 were stolen.”

    Also, the party’s chairman said seven vehicles were affected at Maigwandu’s home.

    Milgoma said: “It happened when Senator Wamakko paid a condolence visit to the area by foot and APC thugs destroyed the vehicles.”

    The chairman, who said the PDP had reported the matter to the police command, urged members and supporters to remain law-abiding.

    He said: “We shall continue to be law-abiding citizens. As a party, we will remain peaceful and orderly while we call on security agencies, especially the police, to investigate and deal appropriately with the matter by ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts are brought to justice.

    “The APC and Senator Wamakko should endeavour to endear themselves to the good people of Sokoto State through humane and civilised manner rather than resort to desperate tactics that threaten the lives and property of the citizens.”

    But Achida, who also addressed reporters at the Diplomat Area state secretariat of the APC, said the attack “was between the new and old PDP factions”.

    He added: “They seized the opportunity of Wamakko’s presence in the area to cause problem in order to tarnish his political and personal image as well his long-standing reputation in the eyes of the good people of Sokoto state.”

    Police spokesperson Cordelia Nwawe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was investigating the matter.

    “All these are allegations. The police commissioner is on top of the matter to ensure that the right thing is done. The command is resolute at ensuring peaceful political process and activities in the state,” she said.

    Nwawe recalled that the command had reiterated its commitment to ensuring a level-playing field for all parties and political activities.

    The spokesperson warned political parties and politicians to play the game by its rules and within the ambit of the law.

    She added: “We had an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting with various political parties recently and had their commitment to ensure peaceful and lawful political activities before, during and after the (2019) elections. We expect nothing less.”

     

  • 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.

  • Defection: Wamakko shuts down Sokoto for Buhari, APC

    •Says Saraki, Tambuwwal, others will regret leaving APC

    FORMER Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko appears to be the clear winner in the first round of the war of supremacy between him and his estranged political son, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who abandoned the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.

    Wamakko, accompanied by his own APC loyalists from the state  in the National and State Assemblies, stormed Sokoto  to the warm embrace of hundreds of thousands of supporters  that stretched  over eight kilometres  from the airport to his Sokoto residence.

    Sokoto was literally shut down as the surging crowd   came out in a show of solidarity with Wammako, President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, dwarfing those pulled by Tambuwal during his defection.

    Immediately the plane carrying the senator landed at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, motorcyclists ran onto the tarmac to offer a guard of honour.

    And from the airport to the town, traffic moved at a snail speed.

    Wamakko, addressing the huge crowd, told them to remain steadfast in their loyalty to the APC.

    He said those who recently defected from the party are “wasting their time as politics is local and we have our base at the grassroots where we all came from, to take APC to greater heights.”

    The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) chairman said he was not in the game of abusive or hate speech politics, but stressed that “the contest is not between me  and Tambuwal but APC and the almost dead opposition PDP.”

    He added:” I am confident that APC is second to none in Sokoto State because all strata of people are with our great party. I am sure that even people in and outside Sokoto know it all.

    “ Our journey, as ever, is synonymous with service delivery, good governance, peace, stability, security and the advancement of economic prosperity through the provision of infrastructure as well the fight against corruption.”

    He said the current political trend would not in any way affect the giant strides of the ruling party.

    “You can see it yourselves from the unprecedented crowd cutting across all sexes, ages and statuses.

    “APC is a party for all and working for all. We are determined to protect your mandate at all levels without any negative recourse.”

    Earlier, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Isah Achida described the party as “a beautiful bride” loved by all.

    “Sokoto is for APC, Wamakko and President Buhari.”

    Also speaking, Senator Ibrahim Gobir from Sokoto East Senatorial District said they were confident of the political resilience and determination of APC members   to   resist attempts to cause them to defect.

    “Today, we have two senators, seven Reps and 12 state lawmakers with us ready to work for the victory of the party come 2019.”

    Speaking on behalf of the Reps, Musa S. Adar, berated Gov. Tambuwal and scored him low for trivialising politics.

    He accused Tambuwwal of betraying  “ the trust of Sokoto people.”

    Bala Kokane who spoke on behalf of the immediate past commissioners, described Wamakko as an impeccable political hub and man of the people whose vision cannot be doubted, especially in moving the party towards prosperity.

    At the rally were  Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Tanzania Alhaji Sahabi Isah Gada, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Abubakar Shehu Wurno, former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman among other notable politicians in the state.

    Abu Bunza, who monitored Wammako’s arrival wrote on Twitter: “I knew Wamakko’s homecoming will be mad today. Those that were busy celebrating Tambuwal’s defection know nothing about Sokoto’s politics.”

    One of the harvests of the rally was the switch to the APC by a former minister of sports, Yusuf Suleiman, who was a PDP governorship aspirant in 2015.

    The former governor had said, earlier in the week ,that those writing off the APC following Tambuwal’s  defection and 18 members of the State House of Assembly to the PDP should wait till this weekend when he would return to Sokoto and see who is in control of the state.

    Over the last few days, a lot of Sokoto residents had been expressing support for President Muhammadu Buhari openly, chanting pro-Buhari slogans.

    Women and youth in particular displayed their joy amidst “Rarara’s” musical songs “Masu Gudu, Su Gudu” (meaning those who want to go, can go).

    Similarly, posters of President Buhari, Senator Wamakko were   displayed in many parts of the state capital.

  • 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.

  • Sokoto: Tambuwal, Wamakko scramble for lawmakers

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and his estranged godfather, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, are now locked in a battle of wits for the support of the majority of members of the state House of Assembly as both men go their different political ways.

    Tambuwal is expected to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) later  this week while Wamakko has chosen to remain in the APC.

    Reliable party sources told The Nation that the lawmakers are now being camped in locations across the state by the political gladiators.

    The governor is said to be working round the clock to leave for the PDP with as many state legislators as possible to boost his value in his new party.

    The governor’s move is however being seriously challenged by Wamakko who is the leader of the APC in the state.

    Sources said that more than half of the state lawmakers originally promised the governor to move with him to the PDP only for some of them to change their mind after a separate meeting with Wamakko.

    The source said:”at the meeting, many of the lawmakers started reconsidering their decision to leave the APC. While some were bold enough to tell the governor and his men they wanted to stay back in the APC, other have been playing hide and seek with him.

    “The situation in the state, as we speak, is that of uncertainty. The state lost two Senators and four of the 11 House of Representatives members to the PDP last week.

    “The two Senators and the Reps who left Wamakko to cross over to the PDP were all his political allies and disciples until they took sides in the rift between Tambuwal and his predecessor.

    “Last week’s defection has weakened the base of the APC in Sokoto as the party now has only one Senator while PDP boasts of two. So, the scramble for the Assembly members is very fierce with both the governor and Senator Wamakko determined to outwit each other.”

    Top members of the APC in the state are also said to be joined in wooing the state legislators for either Wammako or Tambuwal.

    It was also gathered that  Tambuwal had planned to switch camps last week but had shelved the move  when he found out that  most of the  state lawmakers had reneged on their agreement to go with him.

    A source said: “it was not easy for the governor to get the four Reps to defect to the PDP.

    “Apart from the two Senators who have personal issues with our leader, all others who defected to the PDP on the request of the governor were lured with a lot of promises and freebies.

    “If this is truly a test of the governor’s popularity within APC, then he can see for himself that he is unpopular. Majority of our party chieftains and members are with Senator Wamakko and the leadership of the party.

    “The battle has now shifted to the House of Assembly. The two camps are struggling to win the legislators to their side.

    “For Tambuwal, it is a must-win battle as he is ready to move over to the PDP anytime from now. But he is disturbed by the hide and seek game by some of the assembly members after a meeting with the APC leadership in the state on Wednesday.

    “Senator Wamakko needs to retain the support of the majority in the assembly to prove that he is still strong politically in the state.”

    Another source said Tambuwal may announce his defection tomorrow to keep his alleged presidential ambition alive.

    The governor is said to have been told by chieftains of the PDP to join the party early enough for him to be granted a waiver along with other defectors.

  • Wamakko donates to victims of Sokoto attack

    Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) has donated N2 million; 1,000 bags of 10kgs of rice; 500 wrappers; 100 cartons of toilet soap and ointment to victims of the attack on Tabanni, Gandi, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    A statement by his media aide, Bashir Rabe Mani, said Wamakko paid a condolence visit to the District Head of Gandi, Alhaji Maccido Yarin Gandi.

    Wamakko described the act as unfortunate, unjust and wanton.

    The statement reads: “The loss of lives and property is regrettable and condemnable by all right thinking individuals. This sad development and obnoxious trend was never heard of in the state.

    “We should embark on fervent prayers for divine intervention, for God to prevent the recurrence of the deplorable killings, as well as the repose of the souls of the deceased. The survivors should also regard the incident as an inevitable act of God.”

     

  • Tambuwal, Wamakko crisis deepens 

    The crisis of confidence between Soktoo State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and his godfather, Senator Wammako, has deepened. It led yesterday to the dissolution of the State Executive Council (SEC).

    The SEC, which comprised Wammako supporters (50 per cent), was dissolved after two weeks of political brickbats by the two leaders.

    The cold war blew open at the National Convention of the APC when Wammako’s man Abubakar Makama Mainasara, contested against the National Vice Chairman of the party, Alh. Inuwa Abdulkadir, backed byTambuwal.

    It was learnt that shortly after, a rally, allegedly sponsored by the state was staged in Sokoto against Wammako, who got wind of the plot and hurriedly left the state.

    Although a statement last night was silent on the motive for the sack of the SEC, a top government official said: “It was time for the governor to draw a line between him and Wammako. The SEC had to go because 50 per cent of the commissioners were foisted on Tambuwal.

    “Those who want to remain with Tambuwal can conveniently pledge their loyalty and those for Wammako should follow him.

    “The two leaders are certainly no longer on the same page politically.”

    A statement by the Director – General, Media and Public Affairs, to the Governor, Mallam Abubakar Abu Shekara, said: “The Governor of Sokoto State,  Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has dissolved the Sokoto State Executive Council with immediate effect

    “The dissolution is aimed at restructuring and re-strategising the cabinet for optimum efficiency and service delivery to the good people of Sokoto State.

    “While thanking members of the Council for the dedication, sacrifice and loyalty to the administration, the Governor  expressed appreciation to the people for cooperating with and supporting the outgoing members of the Council towards achieving the success recorded.

    “The commissioners would hand over the affairs of their respective Ministries to the Permanent Secretaries.”

  • Wamakko urges journalists to see profession as sacred

    The Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has admonished journalists in the country to see their profession as a sacred duty.

    Wamakko spoke yesterday at the opening of the 2018 National Executive Committee meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Sokoto.

    Wamakko who was represented by Alhaji Isa Bajini Galadunchi said: ” You should see journalism as a sacred duty between you, God and mankind.

    ”You should also cherish and safeguard your responsibility, as well as avoid sensationalism.

    ”Decorum is highly needed in the coverage and reportage of all events in the country.”

    Wamakko also averred that doing so diligently would provide the needed impetus for national development.

    Also speaking, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal underscored the crucial roles journalists had played in the nation’s pre-independence struggles, as well as in entrenching democracy.

    The governor also expressed deep concern about the prevailing security situation across Nigeria and advocated for the review of the country’s security architecture, as well as the operational strategies of the security agencies. He called for concerted efforts to further secure Nigeria, saying, “there is a seeming justification for state police.”

    President of the Union, Abdulwaheed Odusile, said that the meeting would critically brainstorm on the prevailing issues affecting the union, its members and Nigeria, with a view to proffer plausible solutions.