By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
Following the conclusion of the general and supplementary elections that produced President, Vice President and Governors Elect and their deputies as well, National and State legislators elect, the 2023 dispensation in Sokoto state has dusted the path for action as closely examined.
Besides, Sokoto state unique record remains fundamental for the two major opposition political parties, PDP and APC in the caliphate.
The struggles ended in producing freshers and returning elected office holders and representatives for both political divides.
However, the political trend in the caliphate has obviously shaped a departure record from mere party politics to competence of candidate.
Electorates in the caliphate have succeeded in expressing their wishes while exercising their franchise with some level of resilience amidst intense level of anxiety.
Accordingly, the two major political parties were finally separated at the outcomes of the competing scenario that ended the battle among candidates during the April 15 exercise.
The wins and lost went either way for the parties at the two levels ( National and State) in the test of supremacy across the 23 LGs in the state.
Noting the outcomes, the governorship , Senatorial and House of Representatives contests, were freely , fairly and creditable conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission under improved and organised joint security monitoring by all agencies.
The table of results made some happy while others quietly stomach their feel of the defeat.
The All Progressives Congress braced ahead of its People’s Democratic Party opponent in the battle haven clinched two senatorial seats of the North and East of the caliphate, leaving the third for the PDP.
Also, APC topped the seats for HoRs haven sustained the lead with 8 out of 11 Federal Constituencies.
While, it was also clear on the state assembly results, the APC differed with 20 against 10 of the thirty seats.
Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko dramatically dusted his way back to the red chamber after dwarfing Tambuwal’s deputy, Hon. Muhammad Manir Dan Iya of the PDP.
The duo were separated by 141, 448 votes against 118,445 polled by Dan Iya.
For the Sokoto East Senatorial District , Ibrahim Lamido of APC’s 112,764 votes edged out PDP’s Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir’s 107,834 score to claim the space as replacement for Senate Leader, Engr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir of APC.
Gwanda Gobir was a former HoRs member .
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal took the day in the Southern Senatorial District by defeating APC’s Senator Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba Dambuwa.
Tambuwal , Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council polled 100,860 to fearlessly unseat Danbaba who scored 95,884 votes.
Interestingly, the drama left out nothing to chance for both the APC and PDP in the kin contest for the 11 HoRs seats.
The template of the battle was one of unseating each other among the candidates who contested.
However, the All Progressives Congress dominated the drama stage to take control of the 8 seats in it’s favour.
The People’s Democratic Party candidates unseated 3 of the APC candidates across Federal Constituencies of Yabo/Shagari(Hon. Danbukari for Umar Yusuf”Dan Maje”); Kebbe/Tambuwal( Bala Kokani for Abdussamad Dasuki) and Gada/Goronyo(Hon. Musa S. Adar for Bashar Usman Gorau) respectively.
The duo of Dan Maje and Usman Gorau who are first timer lawmakers, may emerge most youngests in the 10th assembly legislators list. Findings revealed that Yusuf is 37 while Usman Gorau is 32.
On the other hand for APC, the immediate past House Leader in the state assembly , Hon. Bello Isah Ambarura unseats Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame of the PDP representing Illela/Gwadabawa Federal Constituency.
Hon. Mani Maishinku Katami (PDP) who unseated his successor, Hon. Sa’adu Nabunkari in 2019, got the shock of defeat to quit the green chamber as representative of Binji/Tangaza Federal Constituency.
Similarly, the knock brought the representation of Hon. Sa’idu Bargaja of the PDP to an end in the lower chamber for Hon.Jelani Danbuga for Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency.
The change of batten also took swipe on PDP’s Hon. Kurdulla who lost to Hon. Sani Yakubu of the APC to occupy the seat for Gudu/ Tanga Federal Constituency.
The tsunami also buried the hope of Hon . Abubakar Abdullahi representing Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency on the platform of PDP returning to the house after succumbing to defeat by Hon. Bala Hassan of APC unseated by the earlier in 2019.
For Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Abdullahi Kalambaina of the APC measured up for the seat to floor opponent , Murtala Maigona of the PDP.
Going forward, reactions trailed especially the National Assembly contest by some victors who saw it differently from the perspective of their mission and assignments ahead in the 10th assembly.
However, Senator Aliyu Wamakko described the outcome and victory of APC at the polls as true reflection of the wishes of Sokoto people.
He said the victory was a testimony that the party owns the state insisting that APC won the presidential elections in the state wondering why the entire NASS polls in the state were declared inconclusive.
” I don’t know why it happened even though four results of LGs were earlier declared but subsequently declared inconclusive.”
He noted that electorates in the state were supportive of the party’s human oriented drive hence turned out enmasse to vote it’s candidates.
According to the Deputy Chairman , Senate Committee on Anti- Corruption ” we have successfully won the governorship , 2 out of the three Senate seats and emerged victorious in 8 out of the 11 HoRs seats .
” The party has also taken 20 out of the 30 seats for the State Assembly. All these are by the will of God .”
Wamakko assured of a responsive representation in defence of the confidence reposed in them by the electorates.
” We will do better to project, advance and drive legislative responsibilities for the benefit of Sokoto people and Nigerians in general”, he reassured
On his part , Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal while assuring that he will bring his wealth of experience to bare in the course of representing Sokoto state in the 10th Assembly, promised of effective
Tambuwal made the declaration shortly after emerging winner of the Sokoto South Senatorial District following Saturday supplementary elections.
The former HoRs Speaker said he would a responsive and effective representation that would impact positively for prosperity.
The governor while further reacting to the victory, attributed his feat to the devine will of God, said it called for sober reflection adding that ” the journey was driven by intense interests against my personality by those who believed in discounting all facts. But I believe that only God gives and takes power from and to whom He pleases”
Tambuwal won his APC opponent, Senator Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba Dambuwa by a 4,976 margin point out that the contest was a great lesson which everyone must learn from and continue to learn daily from the numerous activities and outcomes in life.
” I am sure that even the media is aware of the situation intensity of interests involved throughout the struggle”
He further expressed gratitude to the entire people of the state, southern Senatorial District, party elders, leaders and supporters for their sense of resilience and commitment to the attainment of the victory.
To Umar Yusuf , Member-Elect on the PDP platform for Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency who sees his contest and emergence as call to service described the process as a wonderful experience.
” I am the only candidate of the 14 that won without participating in the state supplementary elections of April 15.” noting that haven participated in campus politics during his school days, he will cleverly learn to improve for better representation.
” Though, my people know what I am capable of doing that is why they yearned for me .
” This alone, will inspire my spirit to impact them by attracting constituency projects of benefit to them and Nigeria .”
