|
Sokoto poll: Wamakko, ex-minister, senator face screening panel
By Yusuf Alli, The
Nation Sat Dec 10,2011
Wamakko
The screening of three key governorship aspirants seeking the
ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for Sokoto governorship
poll began yesterday amidst tension among their supporters.
The aspirants are Governor Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko;
ex-Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman, and Senator Abubakar Gada.
The panel has, however, relocated to Kaduna to stave off
pressure.
But a group, Concerned Original PDP Members, sent a petition to
the panel demanding the disqualification of Wamakko for
allegedly working against the PDP during the April general
election.
In a swift reaction, supporters of Wamakko reminded that he
delivered Sokoto 100 per cent to the PDP at the poll in April.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the aspirants
appeared before a four-man panel headed by a former Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Tijani Yahaya Kaura.
Other members of the panel are Hon. Zakari Mohammed, Chuks Azuka,
and Baba Lawal.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The screening of
the aspirants has started. But there have been claims and
counter-claims from their supporters before the panel.
"Although most of the petitions weigh heavily against the
governor, they also confirmed that Sokoto PDP is sharply
divided.
"The governor and his supporters or backers have also launched
counter-attacks to debunk the allegations as baseless.
"The panel will look at all the issues from the three parties
before coming out with its conclusion."
A member of the panel said: "We are sitting in Kaduna because
that is the zonal headquarters of the PDP. We are not bound to
screen aspirants in Sokoto.
"It is normal for issues to be raised when you are screening
aspirants like those in this set. This is because the stake is
high.
"We will, however, be guided by the constitutional requirements
of the PDP. We will not take sides. We will be fair and just to
all the aspirants."
It was learnt that a petition that caused tension was sent to
the panel by the Concerned Original PDP Members, asking for the
disqualification of the governor.
The petition was signed by Alhaji Abubakar Babangida (State
Publicity Secretary), Alh. Abubakar Magajin Kojiyo, Alh.
Mohammed Wadata Usman Guiwa (Former State Assistant Secretary
and Zonal Secretary) and a former Executive Chairman of Isa
Local Government, Alh. Sharehu Abubakar Kamarawa.
They accused the governor of anti-party activities during the
last general election.
The petition reads in part: "Consistent with his manifest
contempt and disdain of the PDP and all that the PDP stands for,
Alh. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, even though supposedly a PDP
governor, has never let go any opportunity to subvert the goals
and interests of the party at every critical turn.
"While we have many, some of which have been highlighted from
the foregoing, we hereby give two recent examples of Wamakko's
anti-party actions against the PDP:
· In the last governorship election in Zamfara State, Wamakko
was clearly in support of the ANPP gubernatorial candidate
against that of the PDP by providing funds and by means of human
resources (political thugs) in aid of the ANPP candidates.
· Also, in Kebbi State, Governor Aliyu Wamakko proved his innate
contempt for the PDP by openly mobilising resources and
campaigning for the opposition ANPP (now in the clothing of the
CPC) candidates. In fact, it is on record that most of the
political thugs arrested in Kebbi State during the last general
election were known people in the service of Governor Wamakko in
Sokoto State.
"Governor Wamakko is known to always boast of his popularity and
that he did the PDP a favour by belonging to the party and as
such, the party and not him should be grateful for his
membership.
"Therefore, we demand that in line with the provisions of the
constitution, rules and regulations of the PDP on gross
misconduct anti-party activities against the party, subversive
actions against the party leadership and hierarchy and the
Federal Government, Wamakko should and indeed must be
disqualified and expelled from the party."
They also accused the governor of violating the agreement
reached with PDP leadership in 2007 while defecting from the All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
They added: "Sir, you would also recall that the PDP/ANPP merger
in Sokoto state and the attendant decision to concede the
governorship ticket to the ANPP candidate, Aliyu Wamakko was
based on certain gentlemen agreements.
"It is as sad as telling on the character, nature and
disposition of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko that he has not abided
by the provisions and spirit of the agreement in the conduct of
his administration since he came on five years ago."
A supporter of the Governor, Alh. Mohammed Yusuf, said: "These
so-called Concerned PDP Members are out to mislead the screening
committee.
"The truth is that Governor Wamakko worked round the clock to
earn 100 per cent for our party in April.
"All elected members of the party in April in Sokoto State are
PDP members. Other parties lost out.
"What is the business of the governor with Kebbi and Zamfara
politics? Wamakko did not sponsor any candidate in the two
states, not to talk of sending thugs. This is arrant nonsense.
"Some party members are just desperate to capitalise on what
happened during the presidential primaries in January to deal
with a performing governor like Wamakko."
Related story:
Jonathan
relieves Sports Minister of Job as plot for Sokoto PDP
gov
ticket
thickens
Sokoto ACN gov candidate set to
join ruling party -The
Guardian
Sack twist: Fed
Govt accepts ex-Minister’s resignation-The Nation
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
|
