By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
The Senator representing Sokoto North senatorial District and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum(NSF), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has linked recent newspapers publication that EFCC invited him and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on alleged N18 billion financial crime as handiwork of mischief makers who are bent on smearing his reputation by all means.
He said ” no body can ridicule me.”, noting that such detractors were only out to create and send a wrong but malicious signal with the impression that President Buhari is fighting Senator Wamakko.
” Let me say it loud and clear that I and Mr President are best of friends among other senators”, he added.
The senator said” the story and publication were not in anyway from the EFCC. The agency is a reputable organ with mature conduct of its activities”, he noted.
He described as fake, rubbish and malicious act of hatred coming from his political detractors who enjoy fanning the embers of trouble in the peaceful democratic journey of the country.
” It is the work of mischief makers who want to bring Wamakko down.”
Wamakko spoke in Sokoto Saturday night while he was being presented with a birthday present in honour of his 62nd anniversary by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ).
” I am not above the law or any criticism but has to be objective and credible.
” I am a Nigerian and respect the rule of law. I joined in bringing the responsive and transparent government which was the cardinal pursuit and why we formed then G3 through to new PDP”, he recalled.
According to the immediate past governor of Sokoto state” it is quite alarming, idiotic and foolish for an individual to deposit N1.5bn in his personal account.
” I have never owned N1.5 bn of my own. Moreso, the publications credited N15 bn to me while Kwankwaso N3bn. I see the story as unethical and unprofessional crafts.
” I want you to tell all mischief makers that they cannot undo what God has done. Therefore, I didn’t make myself what I am today. It is God who made me.”
The lawmaker who is also chairman, senate committee on Basic and Secondary Education further recalled his teaching career saying that” I recall when I was collecting N64 as monthly salary, I take some and give out he rest to those in need of support. I am not a greedy man. It’s rather sad that Nigeria is a country where people are seldom purbished for certain wrongs that is why some idiots want to tarnish my image. I chellenge anybody to come up. There should be penalty for promoting rubbish and falsehood for picking a piece of paper and pen and write rubbish. They will not succeed”, he declared.
” When I was governor, I served diligently. You know how much I did and thank God people were happy and still expressing their gratitude.
” In my 8yrs, I put 5 tertiary institutions to operation, constructed and furnished new boarding secondary schools, empowered both woemen and youths, physically challenged and discouraged destitution through the payment of N6,500 monthly allowances, built over 5, 000 housing units, over 1,000 km asphalted road across the state, befitting PHCS with over 230 wards and ambulances, prompt payment of salaries, doubled the share capital investments of the state for the benefit of our people.I was first among few that actualised the N18,000 minimum wage and had never left the state for a week while as governor. I love been with my people.
” Except for Umrah which I perform once a year and my two trips to US and Britain(Chatam House) where I respectively delivered lectures on security.”
However, the APC senator reminded journalists of their critical role in shaping and building both the citizenry and nation on the path of development, patriotism, nationalism and unity, stressing that “You have a role to between you, Nigerians and God. Don’t look at your age but the impact off what your work can do to influence positive change for posterity and humanity.”
