By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Likened to a new dawn with fresh breadth bracing the supporters and well wishers of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Sokoto state, it was obvious and evident, following the epoch making arrival Saturday, from Abuja of their political hero and leader, Senator (Dr) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who led retinue of other stakeholders driving the party’s strength of unity in the ancient city, with a renewed urge to all party faithful to be hopeful of the party’s landmark strides ahead of the 2019 polls in the state and Nigeria.
The lawmaker however, remarked that all those who defected from the ruling party would regret their actions, ” they passionately wasting their time as politics is local and we have our base at the grassroots where we all came from to take APC to greater heights”, he vowed.
Wamakko, who arrived at about 1:40pm amidst triumphant reception by the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Isah Achida and hundreds of thousand supporters including married women and children, old and young lined up from the metropolis to the airport which is 8km long stated while addressing a rally at his Gawon Nama, Sokoto residence, reassured that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state and Nigeria remain resolute and unshaken in delivering its promises to the citizenry.
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) chairman stated that he was not in the game of abusive nor hate speech politics, adding that ” the contest is not between himself and Tambuwal but APC and the almost dead opposition PDP.”
In the same vein, he explained that” I don’t advertise myself but my conduct and sense of humane speak for me to the people of Sokoto state.
” I am confident that APC is second to none in Sokoto state because all strata of people are with our great party. I am sure that even people in and outside Sokoto know it all.”
According to him” our journey as ever, is synonymous with service delivery, good governance, peace, stability, security and the advancement of economic prosperity through ensuring the provision of infrastructure as well the fight against corruption.”
He said the current political trend was not in anyway going to affect the giant strides of the ruling party, noting that it has strengthened the cause of the ruling APC government ahead of the 2019 polls.
” You can see it yourselves from the unprecedented crowd cutting across all sexes, ages and statuses.
” APC is a party for all and working for all. We are determined to protect your mandate at all levels without any negative recourse”, he pointed out.
Earlier, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Isah Achida described the party as ” a beautiful bride” loved by all.
According to Achida” People in the state are fast identifying with the party particularly now that moving from strength to strength with the new but purposeful leadership through the support of Senator Wamakko.
” Sokoto is for APC, Wamakko and President Buhari”‘ he said.
Also speaking, Senator Ibrahim Gobir from Sokoto East senatorial District said they were confident of the political resilience and determination of members of the ruling APCfor striving to defend the course of the party as well resisted attempts to cause them to defect.
” Today, we have 2 senators, 7 representatives and 12 state lawmakers with us ready to work for the victory of the party come 2019.”
Speaking on behalf of the representative members, Hon. Musa S. Adar, berated Gov. Tambuwal and scored him low for trivialising politics evrn as he noted that the new PDP convert could not initiate infrastructural projects since his election as governor in the last 3 years hence affecting the state drive for development.
He said despite the revenues and funds accruing to the state, there was nothing to show for it” the people of Sokoto state are saddened over the negative event against their prosperity caused by the governor.
” He betrayed the trust of Sokoto people as such cannot berate President Buhari who has been supportive to governors across the 36 states even when many could not resolve the issues of backlog of salaries, pension and other benefits due to their workers”, he pointed out.
Bala Kokane who spoke on behalf of the immediate past commissioners, described Wamakko as an impeccable political hub and man of the people who’s vision remain undoubtful especially in moving the party towards prosperity.
He urged supporters to eschew the antics of negative political agents of doom who specialise in merchandising failed vision’ adding” our supporters and party members have now realised those antics and can now separate the grains from the chef.”
Meanwhile, those at the rally in solidarity for the new beginning were deputy governor, Ahaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Tanzania Alhaj Sahabi Isah Gada, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Abubakar Shehu Wurno, former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, Farouk Malami Yabo among other notable politicians in the state.
