Sokoto:  A State Governed By Ex Governors!

By

Yusuf Dingyadi

dingyadimedia@yahoo.com

I have observed with dismay the deteriorating state of affairs in the Seat of the Caliphate in recent time. It is disheartening to note that, Sokoto State is under siege and remotely controlled by a new set of godfathers that recently intruded into the local politics of the state.

Taking advantage of Obasanjo’s divide-and-rule obnoxious policy, ex-governors Adamu Aliero of Kebbi and Sani Yarima of Zamfara now parade themselves as political gladiators of Sokoto State. This may sound puzzling, but not for those who are acquainted with the intrigues of the 2007 general elections in Nigeria.

The background of this daunting chapter in the history of the Caliphate could be traced to the blind scheme by Obasanjo and his  political boys that was purposely designed, not for PDP to win Sokoto as the gullible citizens were fooled, but to squarely deal with Bafarawa for his refusal to bow to the Aso Rock  attempt to smuggle the Third Term agenda into our Constitution and to succumb to pressure by joining the wagon of vagabonds who were bent on destroying the very foundation of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

To ensure effective implementation of this war against Bafarawa, Aliero and Yariman Bakura were recruited even though they were ANPP members one at that time.  Of course Obasanjo knew they must carry out the assignment. Both had a self-indicting dossier of financial recklessness for which nothing short of life imprisonment or even execution would have been their rightful verdict.

Aliero waste no time to announce his decampment from ANPP to PDP as a way of submitting to Obasanjo and at the same time save himself from the EFCC. Yarima, in his typical dubaru style, struck an accord to remain in ANPP but to support the Third Term agenda and give PDP all the necessary co-operation the party required of him. To both, Aso Rock agreed to concede Senate seats and the power to appoint their successors in their respective states.

As an addendum to the aforementioned conditions, both two characters were tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the defeat of Bafarawa’s party (DPP) in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States. In this regard, more financial resources were committed by Aliero and Yariman Bakura to execute the Aso Rock directive. It was a job they had to perfectly do or else EFCC was watching diligently.

Expectedly, for investing much into the Wamakko scheme, the two ex-governors now consider themselves as political fathers of the new Sokoto political leadership. They have now turned Sokoto into a base where intrigues are strategized. Almost on daily basis, one conference, seminar or workshop is being organized ostensibly to deceive unsuspecting members of public that the gatherings have direct bearing on the lives of masses in the Seat of the Caliphate.

Their next and important target is traditional institution in which one of them will be conferred with a title. Already some Ulamas have been commissioned to do such service by branding the present government as one good thing that ever happened to Sakkwatawa.

Apart from that, there was also a political gathering aimed at sustaining their political relevance through Wamakko’s old party ANPP in case PDP changes its stand on supporting them in future.

Most annoying to the generality of our people is the undeniable fact that the two ex-governors have successfully taken over the control of affairs of the state. They, not Wamakko, decide what to be done or not to be done in the state. In short, they determine our fate, while we helplessly watch. We are even coerced into cheering them as our saviours and liberators.

Although Mahmuda Shinkafi of Zamfara, who is supposed to be under the watchful eyes of Yarima, has now become a problem to Yarima unlike Wamakko who was made to be a governor remotely controlled by Yarima and Aleiros.

But there is never a scheme without a mission and vision. Political fathers everywhere share similar traits; they insist on getting compensation with hyper interest on the investment made during campaigns, selection and election processes. No wonder Namadi Sambo freed himself from the clutches of Ex governor Makarfi by bringing his people closer to him, just as did Sule Lamido who  never believes in political godfatherism.

Barrister Shema and Fashola of Katsina and Lagos States respectively are showing good examples by respecting their political father’s boundaries through provision of meaningful projects and essential services that touch the lives of their people rather than using their offices to enrich themselves.

People have forgotten so easily that the so called victory of Wamakko is as a result of some factors, namely Federal government might including the use of security forces, parties coalition and unholy religious manipulation at the local level. Fortunately, most of the subterranean arrangements are collapsing like pack of cards    because Governor Wamakko has failed to honour his pledges since coming to power.

It is known fact that Wamakko, as a result of his total allegiance to these Ex governors is now losing his popularity by facing serious internal crisis in his government more especially from the original PDP founders and other stake-holders who have now rejected his   divide and rule tactics aimed at disuniting them.

It is crystal clear that Wamakko for over two months has not been attending Jumu’at prayers at the usual Bello Mosque, since his last attack by some people who are accusing him of misdirection and his supports to the release of some Shi’as followers.

In Sokoto State, Aliero and Sani Yarima get their compensation of all what they have invested on the Wamakko’s campaign 2007 by cornering to themselves all lucrative contracts. Daily, their boys are visibly seen processing contracts documents or payments in the state ministries with flagrant disregard of all laid down rules.

At a time` Wamakko accused Bafarawa of awarding contracts to his cronies and friends. As if he had forgotten this scenario, the wanton use of public funds to feather the nests of some individuals is now   visible in all the government agencies in the state. Mushroom companies that have no record of registration with any relevant authorities are awarded juicy contracts because of their closeness to Aleiros or Yarima thus throwing due process and caution to the dogs.

Amazingly enough, no one is allowed to ask for justification of their acts or whether they are in line with due process. Cleverly, while Yar’Adua is in Aso Rock emphasizing rule of law, due process, probity and accountability, Aliero and Sani Yarima are in far away Sokoto State teaching Wamakko how to siphon public funds without being detected.

The degree of  dual Aliero-Yarima imposition on the affairs  of Sokoto State and embezzlement of financial resources of Sokoto state is now causing some enmity among PDP members in the state. It is widely believed that such an Obasanjo arrangement is furiously being protested by Wamakko’s deputy, Mukhtar Shagari who is now relegated to the second opportune supporter.

Going the memory line, it was same Shagari whose return to Sokoto for the gubernatorial contest that reawakened PDP in the state. His investment into the PDP through the campaigns and primary election was high. Shagari single handedly used all his resources and connections to bring the party back to life in spite opposition and negative attacks from his people like Abdallah Wali, Garba Illah Gada and Ahmed Gusau who have abandoned the party and their supporters.

Surely, like any other good party man who may have stakes in the development of his state in his mind, Shagari must have felt offended, and may not forgive the political intrigues that finally schemed him out from being Bafarawa’s successor.

As humiliating as it was, Shagari watched helplessly as Obasanjo and Aleiro brought Wamakko from ANPP and imposed him on PDP members as their gubernatorial candidate. This maltreatment continued through Aleiro and Yarima scheme of allowing only original PDP members to control minority while Wamakkos loyalists overtake important and majority seats of the local governments and State.

The worst, however, came when Shagari’s loyalists and some original PDP members who Wamakko met, were sidelined in decision making and appointments into government. At the recent PDP congress in Sokoto State, party leadership at all local governments’ level were not spared as they are fully controlled by Wamakko’s decampees.

Out of the twenty three local governments, old PDP supporters are controlling less four.  Even contracts now are awarded to only the ANPP decampees to PDP through screening of Ex governors. This sign of division is boldly written on the PDP wall throughout the state courtesy of the Ex governors.

Other disgruntled elements to the Aliero-Yarima treachery are initial PDP stalwarts in the state. Some of them have since been forgotten and no longer relevant in the party. Others, like Bello Dange, Arzika Dan Asuli, Magajin Kojiyo’s who was relegated to an Ex-officio of party from the zonal vice chairman position. Some were forced to become onlookers to the on-goings over their own party and state.

Recently as result of some protest by a splinter group within the PDP state government have to ordered, Arzika Tureta, former PDP chairman, who is now a Commissioner of education; to give a warning against his former Comrades by taking Wamakko loyalists to court. They were protesting imposition of candidates into local government election. Up till today, these particular PDP members’ issues were not addressed by both the party and elders.

All are astonished that the PDP, which they nurtured as an opposition party for eight good years in the state, has now been hijacked by intruders who are just out there to milk the state treasury dry.

In all, the situation poses some questions requiring urgent answers: Will Wamakko listens to the voices of masses or will he continue to treat them as mere political protests from the usual disgruntled elements? Can Wamakko muster the courage to free himself and his administration from the clutches of Aliero-Yarima chain and salvage the state economically and socially?

If the undesirable relationship continues, what will Shagari, PDP members and indeed indigenes of Sokoto state do to avert the likely danger arising there from?

What is happening in Zamfara state now serves as a good lesson for Sakkwatawa as Mahmuda is geared towards rehabilitation of the State by embarking on programmes that have direct bearing on the common man as opposed to Yarimas style of pocket what you have to satisfy yourself!

Will Wamakko listen to the popular voice of allowing Sokoto people to govern themselves just as their fore-fathers have taught them through humility, respect, brotherhood and understanding for which the Caliphate was known. That must be the challenge!

Yusuf Dingyadi, Free-lance Journalist, writes from Sokoto.