By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
Pundits across the national political space , have over time , taken stock of northern political trajectory, journey , drivers and kingmakers for the actualisation of leadership , power and influence.
No mincing of words as it were, just as it’s evidently clear with factual notes that, former governor of Sokoto state , Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has carved an unprecedented and unequalled political niche for himself with convincing but strategic record for decades.
He never fails in displaying his unassuming but influential capacity by nurturing undiubted political structure down the grassroots to separate him from mere political noise makers.
Wamakko , speaks less and act more with ease to position his political interest at all times, thus, the calculations have always given the opposition sleepless nights.
His dramatic record setting in the political journey of Sokoto state and especially within the Northwest political space, way back from 2007, has placed him tops with outstanding results that keep swelling the main stream politics.
Though, the players, movers and shakers in the political game struggle from all the regions, have at various dispensations, played and unplayed for different and obvious reasons to keep themselves alive to the game without insulating Wamakko’s strength of purpose.
However, so many have vowed not to cut off from the main stream politics that keeps the centre strong as tool for influence and to attainment of popularity.
Of course, the trend of Nigeria’s politics have always made justice to key drivers across the six geo political zones.
It’s quite revealing that in the northern region , especially since the reincarnation of a new political order that ushered in the 4th republic in 1999, political star makers have serially and consistently emerged to reposition the journey for democracy to thrive across the 19 northern states and Nigeria despite political divides.
Premised on its strides to date, the north has been a strategic melting point with tendency of making or marring opportunities and ambitions of politicians based on well researched calculations.
However, the departure of the Sardaunas, Aminu Kano’s, Shagaris, Waziri Ibrahim’s , Sir Kashim Ibrahim’s , Tafawa Balewas , Maitama Sules, Solomon Lars, Godwin Dabos, the north still remain a leading political force to reckon with despite it skirmished inconsistent in unity.
Strengthening it focus to maintain it political prowess across the Northwest, North Central and Northeast, came a new generational drivers in the Buharis, Shettimas, Atikus, Wamakkos, Abdullahi Adamus, Kwankwasos, Gandujes, Sarakis, Akumes, Mu’azus, El-rufais, Gojes, Zulums, Sule Lamidos among other notable political juggernuts that consistently keep the boat sailing.
Hitherto, the northwest has remained the target of all weather mainstream politics thus, the dream of every aspiring presidential candidate see the region as” a must” package as a strategic decider of victory or failure.
As influential as he has been , Wamakko has nurtured his brand of politics with strength of purpose, vision and people oriented leadership by largely focusing and carrying the grassroots along with open human oriented policy of “together we belong for all.”
His common political trait of a listening leader, keeps smoothening the path for his aspirations at every dispensation despite the odds surrounding his political terrains orchestrated by those in opposition.
His resounding political prowess , approach and relentless efforts have always favoured not only his aspirations especially in the caliphate but those of others queuing behind his footsteps to achieve successes.
Not only within Sokoto state, Wamakko’s benevolence have strategically carved a space for him, standing him out among his political peers.
Wamakko’s unwavering political cloud has hitherto, favoured past and present presidents to win votes convincingly in Sokoto state and the northwest.
He never failed to return glowing results for his governorship and presidential candidates at the general polls.
Notably, former Presidents Obasanjo, late Yar’adua, Buhari and current leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have optimally enjoyed Wamakko’s spirited political influence to curry their way to victory at the polls.
His landmark journey began in 2007 when then president Olusegun Obasanjo stepped in to lure and make Wamakko his party standard governorship candidate in a strategic political marriage of convenience.
Obasanjo made Wamakko to dump then ANPP for the mainstream PDP inorder to make Sokoto join the mainstream amidst hot political battle with then governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa who could not measure up the test and detected for a new political platform , the Democratic People’s Party , chaired by late Jeremiah Useni.
Upon clinching the governorship position, Wamakko’s political strides began to dramatically expand down the grassroots in the caliphate.
He single handedly changed the political landscape of the caliphate with unfolding approaches that endeared him to his people.
He brought in former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, current governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto who is vividly believed to be his political god son nurtured from the scratch to ensure those in the opposition were dwarfed to crawl.
Wamakko’s resilience and results oriented politics imposed him on the mind of former president Muhammadu Buhari to make him the Director General of his campaign in the Northwest.
The responsibility Wamakko responsively shouldered and tactically discharged with landslide victory for former PMB.
Interestingly , Wamakko has exemplified his art as one rare political magnet that speaks less and does more with less stress like a magician as some say.
His experience , capacity and competence have perfected him in the political business as a rare political idol of the times, who cannot be jettisoned for obvious political calculations to consolidate APC’s journey to victory in 2027.
Wonderfully, Wamakko, fondly referred to as “a political compass” , has the political chest and still holds sway, the political baton in the caliphate for his listening , enduring , friendly , supportive and compassionate traits that can only be defined and likened to a generational political platinum.
