Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal was a noticeable presence at a rally at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday for Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, who was suspended last week by the party.
Wamakko was suspended for allegedly ignoring calls of National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and for failing to recognise the PDP Governors Forum headed by Governor of Akwa Ibom Godswill Akpabio and created to divide the original Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) when it became clear its Chairman Governor Rotimi Amaechi would be difficult to dislodge.
Despite security reports and warning from top party leaders against attending the rally, Tambuwal showed up at the rally, saying he could not abandon the wish of his constituents to express displeasure over Wamakko’s suspension.
It has been alleged that one of the reasons form the Sokoto governor’s prosecution is his insistence on installing the speaker as his successor in 2015, despite the Presidency’s preference for one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s strategists, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada.
The Presidency is similarly unhappy with the attitude of the Federal House of Representatives to government policies, especially budgeting in the last two years, as well as Speaker Tambuwal’s closeness to opposition lawmakers. Tambuwal is also believed to have been influential to convincing certain northwestern governors to vote for Amaechi at last month’s NGF elections.
It was therefore alleged that the Presidency’s plot is to thwart Tambuwal’s governorship ambition by first attacking his home support base, masterminded by Wamakko. It is said that President Jonathan had chosen Senator Gada for the once vacant post of Minister of FCT but after northern senators pushed for Senator Bala Mohammed, the plan shifted to compensating Gada with Sokoto State governorship.
“The PDP under the leadership of Wamakko in the state remains a united political family,” Tambuwal is quoted to have said at the rally.
“So the purported suspension is of no effect to us and there is no retreat or surrender. Wamakko will continue to be our leader even after finishing his term as Governor.”
Speaking on Tambuwal’s presence at the rally, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam disclosed that the speaker is a grassroots politician who panders to the wish of his constituents.
“Tambuwal is first and foremost a representative of the people of Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State before being Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said.
“Speaker Tambuwal was in Sokoto (for the rally) because he believes in the saying that all politics is local. Any politician worth his onion must understand and influence the issues of his constituents.
“The people of Sokoto came out in large numbers to welcome their Governor; why shouldn’t the Speaker be there? He is in Sokoto because that is what the people of Sokoto want and he is happy to be part of the gathering.”
However, according to a top party source, PDP leaders were unhappy with the speaker’s attendance at a rally for a suspended governor, as it translates to condoning Wamakko’s acts of indiscipline.
“We will wait for the outcome of the rally or why the Speaker was in Sokoto before we can take a position,” he said. “Whatever enquiry you are raising now is based on hearsay. All I can tell you is that we are monitoring development in Sokoto with keen interest.”
Meanwhile, Suspended Governor Wamakko has stated his determination the party but called for the sack of Chairman Bamanga Tukur.
Addressing supporters who trooped to the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport and the state Government House on his return from an overseas trip, the governor said:
“I have done a lot for the party in Sokoto State and outside the state. I have also been a loyal and proud member of the party and I have been helping in ensuring its growth and unity both here in the state, other states and at the national level.
“The fight by the people of the state is not a fight against the PDP but a fight against injustice and unfairness. Tukur is running the affairs of PDP as more of a private enterprise.”
He said PDP was literally non-existent in Sokoto State before his arrival brought victory at the 2011 elections. He also urged Jonathan to sack Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, his Special adviser on political affairs for i
