Who will become Sokoto’s next governor?

Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s political brinkmanship is about to be stretched to the limit, as he tries to resolve the knotty issue of who becomes the next governor of Sokoto State. This is because several of his godsons are locked in the struggle to succeed the incumbent, Governor Aminu Tambwal, also a former godson, who […]

Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s political brinkmanship is about to be stretched to the limit, as he tries to resolve the knotty issue of who becomes the next governor of Sokoto State. This is because several of his godsons are locked in the struggle to succeed the incumbent, Governor Aminu Tambwal, also a former godson, who recently defected to the PDP.

With today being the day the gubernatorial primaries for the selection of a candidate to fly the APC flag in the state, it remains to be seen how the Magatakarda handles what close political associates have described as a fierce political challenge for the boss. The two most prominent among those that have lined up for the race, are the serving Deputy Governor of the state, Ahmed Aliyu, and, Hon. Faruku Malami Yabo, both of the Wamakko school of politics.

Other interested godsons, like Yusuf Suleiman and Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal, are said to have retreated to the background, having not received the nod from their godfather. So far, reports on the scheming for the APC ticket show that the contest may eventually be between Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, and Hon. Faruku Malami Yabo, both of whom have submitted their nomination forms and have been screened by the National Headquarters of the APC.

For the people of Sokoto, a choice between the two will be like spotting the difference between identical twins, for apart from belonging to the Wamakko camp, they parade rich academic credentials and profiles as seasoned public administrators. Both Aliyu and Faruku served as commissioners under the Magatakarda and Aminu Tambuwal’s administrations respectively, where they held key portfolios.

The Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu has a record of serving as finance commissioner under Wamakko for about eight years before becoming Tambuwal’s Deputy. His three years in office as second-in-command to Tambuwal is seen by many as an added advantage for him, having operated at very elevated levels. This, perhaps, explains why the Wamakko advisors think that Aliyu has an edge over Faruku, who though experienced too, has yet to come close to function at a higher level of government.

Sources close to the Magatakarda have also hinted that Ahmed Aliyu is preferred as a good strategy, because being an insider in Governor Tambuwal’s administration, the new APC government that may succeed him will be able to scrutinize the records of his administration, once out of power.

Also, Wamakko is said to be eager to reward the Deputy Governor for the rare courage and loyalty shown to him and the party, by refusing to defect along with his boss to the PDP. It is being further argued that, Ahmed Aliyu, by the virtue of his position as Deputy Governor, is the most senior member of the APC in government after the departure of his boss from the party, and therefore should naturally assume position as leader of the party in the state.

For the Magatakarda, his preference for the Deputy Governor as natural successor to Aminu Tambuwal couldn’t have been better explained, considering that he not only met all the criteria for the office of the governor, but also for his uncommon loyalty to the party. However, this position is being challenged by Yabo’s supporters, who now accuse Wamakko of not showing enough neutrality in the selection process. They argue that Yabo may not have had the kind of experience that Aliyu Ahmed has, but that he is more popular and loved within the APC political family for hisgenerosity and good human relations with members.

His supporters argue further that Yabo is one of the most consistent members of the APC in Sokoto and has worked for the success of the party in every election for which reason they are backing his aspiration to become the next governor of the state. This is an intriguing situation for the Sarkin Yamma, as he tries to resolve the confusion. His job has been made more tasking with the intrusion of moles into the APC camps by element working for the opposition.

Though, not coming from the Magatakarda himself, it is being strongly speculated that supporters of Farouk Yabo may have been compromised by the Aminu Tambuwal-led opposition who are believed to be the sponsors of the ongoing confusion in the state APC.

Those paddling this allegation claim that the sighting of Alhaji Umarun Kwabo, a known APC chieftain in Sokoto along with Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir who is the zonal national vice chairman of the APC in the Northwest, also from Sokoto, at a campaign rally organised by Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Birnin Kebbi recently, are pointers to the fact that they may be working for PDP as moles in the APC family in Sokoto State.

With this scenario, it will require the sagacity and acumen of the Magatakarda to skilfully navigate the tumult that is being thrown up by the selection process of the next governorship candidate for the APC in the state. But analysts are quick to point out that these are familiar terrains for Wamakko, and giving his influence among the people, it is as sure as a good betthat who ever secures his blessings will become the next governor of the state.

Muhammed wrote in from GRA, Sokoto.