The defection of Sokoto state governor Aminu Tambuwal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has created political warfare between the Governor and his perceived benefactor, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.
In 2015, Wamakko impressed on his favoured candidate, Faruk Malami to step down for Tambuwal when the later defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) from the PDP. Since then, the relationship between Wamakko and Tambuwal had been rosy with the later seen as enjoying the political structures and goodwill of the former. At some points, Wamakko was seen as a de facto governor where most matters of governance were ‘consultively’ shared by Tambuwal.
Tambuwal’s defection saw a gathering of supporters and well-wishers that blocked all entrants to the Government House, venue of the declaration.
The war had not started because Tambuwal’s speech focused only on President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC’s alleged failed governance. He avoided, either deliberately or so, to mention any misgivings between him and Wamakko.
Senator Wamakko, then away in Abuja was reported to have said that Tambuwal had made the greatest mistake in life and that the state, in spite of the governor’s defection, still belonged to the APC and behind Buhari. He also assured that Tambuwal would retract his steps back to the APC in due course. His return to Sokoto was received by supporters that thronged the Airport and, in the process, created traffic jam on both lanes. The seven kilometer distance took more than three hours for Wamakko to arrive his Gawon Nama residence where he addressed his teeming supporters.
If mass gathering is any credential in politicking, that which received Wamakko was seen as a display of his political prowess. At his residence, the Senator reaffirmed that Sokoto state was still in firm grips of the APC.
He was armed with the presence of former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman; former Minister, Alhaji Jibrin Bello Gada, two of his former Commissioners, Prof. Maitafsir and Dahiru Maishanu, including Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, Wamakko’s hitherto anointed governorship heir. Twelve members of Sokoto state House of Assembly remained with the APC.
Barely a week after Wamakko’s entry into Sokoto, a one time PDP chairman in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal defected to the APC along with some supporters.
“That was a boost to Senator Wamakko’s already ever-growing supporters. He is our political party. APC’s popularity belongs to Wamakko. Governor Tambuwal’s acceptance to us was as a result of Wamakko’s benevolence. Our allegiance is to him as a person,” Lauwali Maiakwai said.
The hash reason
Begrudgingly, one of Tambuwal’s slight against Wamakko, according to a source close to Government House, is that “the plan to defect to the PDP was with full knowledge and participation of Wamakko but Senator Wamakko later withdrew, rather unannounced. This was unexpected of him. Governor Tambuwal respects Wamakko like no serving governor ever did in the political history of Sokoto state,” he said.
“There has never been any sitting governor in the history of Nigeria that has respected his predecessor in the manner Tambuwal did to Wamakko. On the other hand, he has treated the governor as a kid. Whether anyone likes it or not, Tambuwal is the governor of this state and he can only respect but certainly not be fooled,” an Aide who chose to remain anonymous told me.
Post defection activity
Following Tambuwal’s assumption as governor, appointments of Commissioners, special advisers, etc were composed of loyalists from both sides. Also, the recent party congresses where done in such matter that served the interests of both Tambuwal and Wamakko. However, a pre-defection activity of Tambuwal was the dissolution of the state executive council as well as the three categories of special assistants. In what looked like separating the grains from the chaff, those who identified with Tambuwal were asked to confirm their positions and be reenlisted. Civil servants, especially some two permanent secretaries that openly took sides with Wamakko have been relieved of their positions.
Primary assessments
Wamakko: Undoubtedly, Wamakko had held sway as one of the most popular politician of recent times in Sokoto state.
“Senator Wamakko is people’s darling. He does not segregate between the rich and the poor; he welcomes to his home all classes of people and gives without look back. He attends even naming ceremonies not to talk of wedding ceremonies or funerals. He identifies and listens to all that he comes across with,” Bashir Mani, Media Aide told me.
According to Sokoto state Secretary of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, “An observer of the personality of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko will say that some people are just lucky to be so naturally endowed with certain qualities.
Aliyu Magatakarda, affectionately called Alu by his admirers, is a man of great energy. You will often wonder how he is able to cope with his many schedules that almost run round the clock. Indeed many people believe that the man does not sleep!.
“One of his most striking features, which has endeared him to the local people, is his ability to recognize individuals by their first names, even after long separation. Alu is more than a friend to his political associates. He is a family friend who would enter your living room. Greet your mum and dad, hug your little kids and leave behind gifts of a lifetime.
“On his return from any trip, Alu would often visit families who have lost loved ones to condole and console them. Visit those who suffered from natural calamities such as floods and fire disasters to sympathize with them.
“The gentleman can pass for a cultural ambassador; because since I knew him, l can never recall seeing him in any attire apart from the native Babbar Riga or Kaftan. I’m not sure if I ever saw him in a suite.
“His open door policy has led people to name his house as ‘Gidan Jamaa’. Alu and his people are inseparable. He is always in a crowd of people, the rich and the wretched.”
He posits that Wamakko is a product of many circumstances. “It is worthy of note that, though born in the rural area, he grew up in urban Sokoto metropolis and later trained as a teacher. His teaching experience may have further grounded him in local politics just as his service as an administrator in local governments and state civil service have consolidated his human management skills.
“He lives by a religious injunction ‘Sayyidil Kaumi Khadimuhum’. Which means ‘The leader among men, is he who serves them’. Alu is a servant of his people. He gives and gives, almost to a fault. If you visit his house any day, you would think tomorrow is election day. He is always in election mode,” Danchadi said.
Tambuwal: His defection seem to have been effected with the tactics of degenerating Wamakko’s support base. Some die-hard supporters of Wamakko, including those tagged, ‘Wamakko boys’, spoke at Tambuwal’s defection rally.
Worthy of note were former Galadiman Sokoto, Isa Bajini Galadanci; former Treasurer of the APC, Muntari Maigona; immediate-past APC state Chairman, Alhaji Usman Danmadamin Isa and scores of many others.
“Don’t forget that the supporters of governor Tambuwal will be merged with those of Alhaji Dalhatu Bafarawa. Take it or leave it, Bafarawa is a force to reckon with in the politics of the country, not even Sokoto. His and Tambuwal’s forces put together will boost PDP chances in the next election,” Umar Lauwali Gudu said.
Who owns the ‘political Sokoto’ will depends on who is well prepared to win the 2019 election for his party. This is the premise upon which political weights of Wamakko and Tambuwal would be judged.
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