Bafarawa’s volte face
That episode is significant because it informs Bafarawa’s current volte face and embrace of PDP. At that time, with exception of Imo State where membership cards have been issued, APC was still open to members both from the merging parties and the new entrants; membership cards were yet to be issued. In line with tradition […]
That episode is significant because it informs Bafarawa’s current volte face and embrace of PDP. At that time, with exception of Imo State where membership cards have been issued, APC was still open to members both from the merging parties and the new entrants; membership cards were yet to be issued.
In line with tradition of the party, Wamakko is the leader of APC in Sokoto State and his entrance into the party has shored up its fortunes as the 2015 general elections approach.
On the other hand, Bafarawa has lost all his political associates to the APC. Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi who was DPP governorship candidate 2007 against Wamakko together with Bafarawa’s point man, Alhaji Umarun Kwabo A.A., is now in Governor Wamakko’s camp. It is the same story with the grassroots supporters of the defunct DPP in Sokoto. The question is whether Bafarawa has not lost political relevance in Sokoto State.
It is a known fact that Bafarawa has been working for PDP at the national level and in Sokoto State. The recent list making the rounds of prominent northerners being enticed by PDP has Bafarawa at the top. Some time ago he hosted personalities to his daughters’ wedding. Majority of those that attended the ceremony were PDP members in Sokoto State and those from Abuja. Apparently, some clandestine horse trading was manifesting to undercut Wamakko’s grip.
So Bafarawa’s recent declaration for PDP had been anticipated. He is merely exploring some political niche for himself in efforts to redress past failures. However, does this political rigmarole help him? His new found romance with PDP, which he previously loathed like the plague, is a bizarre calculation, and it seems the APC in the state relishes the political puzzle it has created in the minds of people.
Still, as things stand, whether the PDP would accept Bafarawa as the leader of the party in the state is one issue that has not been addressed.
It is going to be a tricky one, given that the former governor’s well-known expletives directed at the party when he was first as governor of Sokoto and the as the founder and leader of the DPP.
There is also the issue of how to place him in the new party, vis-à-vis Alhaji Muhtar Shagari, the current deputy governor of Sokoto State, who has stated that he harboured no intention to leave the PDP to APC.
It is an interesting political development; how the PDP would be able to keep that way, and still make headway in the obviously solid grip of the state by the APC led by Wamakko, remains to be seen.
There is however no denying the fact too that Wamakko has shown himself to be a shrewd politician, and his brand of quiet politics-little talk, but plenty facts on the ground in terms of socio-economic development-has won over most people. This has developed into a solid wall of supporter base it would be hard to imagine how any other party, including the PDP, under whichever leadership, would make a significant dent on it.
So Bafarawa may have a new party; but would he make any difference? Hardly!
Umar wrote from Sokoto<[email protected]