Re: Sokoto PDP flag off: Gainers and losers

The above titled article published on Page 43 of Daily Trust of Tuesday, December 11, 2018, authored by Abu Shekara, the Director General, Media and Public Affairs to Sokoto State Governor, caught my attention because of my interest in the politics of Sokoto State since I interviewed the former governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, in […]

The above titled article published on Page 43 of Daily Trust of Tuesday, December 11, 2018, authored by Abu Shekara, the Director General, Media and Public Affairs to Sokoto State Governor, caught my attention because of my interest in the politics of Sokoto State since I interviewed the former governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, in January of 2015 when he was governor.

The first thing Governor Wamakko did when he met me was to tell his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mallam Sani Umar, to make available vehicle for me to take me round the state to see his projects and talk to people around the state before the interview. I was taken round Sokoto State to see projects ranging from housing estates, construction of secondary schools, the Sokoto State University, construction of rural roads, rural electrification, healthcare centers, the Sokoto State Electricity project, construction of recreations parks, the water project that would provide clean water to the state, and one in particular that touched me so much, the Comprehensive Almajiri School. It was this Wamakko’s idea that President Goodluck Jonathan tried to replicate all over the north.

After three days I was exhausted and wanted to get down with the interview, so I sent Governor Wamakko a text message and we fixed an appointment for the interview at his house. Governor Wamakko lives among the masses and people had access to him as governor. He was always in Sokoto State. He was very proud of his service to the people.

Wamakko’s choice of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as successor was simply based on his belief that Sokoto State needs a younger and vibrant person to continue the legacy of service to the masses. Governor Tambuwal was doing great as the Speaker of the House in Abuja and despite pressure from home in Sokoto to endorse people around him, Wamakko stood for Tambuwal.

Over three years since Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal became Governor, not much can be said about his achievements as governor of the state. For the most part, until people began to complain, the Governor was always out of the state. The local governments today has been made moribund, and we haven’t seen or heard anything interesting going on in Sokoto State.

One does not become the leader of the people just by defecting to another party because of his own personal ambition. Crowd of people are rallies shouldn’t be a yardstick to judge popularity.

Governor Tambuwal would be judged by what he has done for the masses. Governor Wamakko has paid his dues and the people know that. In this season of political campaign, we need politicians and their representatives to tell us what they have done and are planning to do for the future and not hide under the umbrella of political party to shield themselves from scrutiny.

 

George Onmonya Daniel, Abuja.