NEWISSUES
By George Onmonya Daniel
In the year 2014, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko endorsed one of rising stars of Nigerian politics as his successor to succeed him as the governor of Sokoto State. The man was no one but Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Senator Tambuwal then was Speaker of the House of Representative. Senator Wamakko who is fondly called by his people by his first name Aliyu, pronounced ALU by Sokoto people, personally ensured Tambuwal won the election. He went round to the villages, every nook and cranny of Sokoto to campaign for Tambuwal, and being father of grassroots politics, Wamakko delivered Sokoto State to Tambuwal on a platter of gold.
It wasn't long before Tambuwal decided to put Alu aside and do his own thing. He didn't only do that, he went back to join the People Democratic Party (PDP) to gain total control of the State. What did Alu do? Alu sat back quietly and watched as events unfold. He didn't go to war to incite his supporters to fight Tambuwal. He didn't go the media to start ranting or use his media friends to attack Tambuwal. Believe me Alu has so many media people as friends. Alu just sat down and watched happenings in Sokoto.
It was in the 2019 election that everyone realised how popular Alu was in Sokoto. His party, the APC, presenting Ahmed Aliyu as the gubernatorial candidate lost by around 219 votes. Yes, you heard me, two hundred and nineteen votes. Alu popularity was unleashed. But why is he so popular?
As a governor, Alu carried everyone along. He focused on the poor people of the state, and his eight years as governor was all about his people. Regular folks had his number, and Alu talked to them whenever they tried to reach him. When he carried Sokoto elites along, he made sure the government was about his people. The people never forget that. The people are the government.
In 2023, Ahmed Aliyu would defeat the PDP under Tambuwal and become governor. It was 100% due to Alu. No bloodbath as we are seeing in Rivers.
Since the beginning of the Tinubu's government, two characters have been all over the media trying to control their states from Abuja. These are FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. When George Akume uses soft power to try to muscle the governor of his Benue State, Nyesome Wike is using his political thugs to unleash mayhem in Rivers State. Both of these characters need to go and see Alu for tutorials.
