This is why many are shocked by the recent attacks on the person of Senator Wamakko by a certain Senator Ibrahim Lamido, the rookie who represents Sokoto Central at the Senate of the Federal Republic
By Umaru A. Umaru
Canadian columnist, Al Beeber, writing for Lethbridge Herald, the leading daily newspaper in greater Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, in an article titled ‘Politicians have a tough and thankless job’, wrote: “It’s not an easy job and it’s not for everyone. And while the rest of us can for the most part hide from public view, politicians can’t. They are public figures and they are never entirely able to live private lives unless hunkered down in their own homes. With election unfairly comes loss of privacy and the obligation to endure insult no matter how foul.”
The writer also stated that “Running for office isn’t a job for the faint of heart and anyone who has earned the trust of people in their riding or in their community deserves a lot of respect just for making the commitment to serve the public.”
In an editorial comment in The Nationalist, an Irish newspaper, titled “Politics is a thankless job, unless you’re dead,” Darren Hasset writes that “The Irish public appear to have a general disdain for politicians and politics is by and large a thankless job if you’re looking for a pat on the back and a congratulations for all your hard work for the electorate. You’ll have your supporters and your voters of course, every politician does, but they will seem quite small in the sea of vitriol and bile that faces every elected official in this country from councillor to TD.”
Reading these lines, my thoughts fell on Senator Aliyu Magartakada Wamakko, who was for eight years the governor of Sokoto state and currently, representing Sokoto North district. More popular as headmaster because of his stint as a teacher before furthering his education at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States of America, Wamakko is seen by the people of Sokoto state as ‘God sent’. This is because of his style of politics devoted to the service of even the lowest people.
Wamakko is dedicated and devoted to the people of Sokoto state. His gates are open to them all day. He lives and cherishes their fraternity. That is why he flies to Sokoto every Thursday to be with the people, hear their cries, listen to them, and offer solutions as much as he can. This includes feeding the poor and caring for them by picking up their bills, especially medical bills. He also ensures that every child around him is enrolled in school to get some education. These little gestures have made the majority of the Sokoto population to now see Wamakko as the father of the modern Sokoto state. And this is why he is very much loved by followers and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. For them, he is the fulcrum upon which Sokoto APC stands.
It is also for these reasons, and more, that many people in Sokoto state are convinced that politics is indeed, a thankless job. For them, the most befitting tribute to Wamakko is to adorn his mantle as leader of the APC in Sokoto with more garlands. And they are willing to give him more flowers and hugs for leading the party in the right direction and also, for standing firmly behind Governor Aliyu Ahmed and helping him steer the state in the aright.
This is why many are shocked by the recent attacks on the person of Senator Wamakko by a certain Senator Ibrahim Lamido, the rookie who represents Sokoto Central at the Senate of the Federal Republic. For many in the state, Senator Lamido, who lacks what it takes to lead Sokoto APC, ought to be at Wamakko’s feet learning the art of selflessness in leadership. They also say that he is lacking in the capacity to equal Wamakko’s sagacity, outreach, philanthropy and benevolence. The fact, as many in Sokoto state see it, is that Sen. Lamido is just learning the ropes in politics and is even yet to mature enough to effectively lead his district before aspiring to lead APC in Sokoto state.
The argument is that Lamido ought to first show proof of his achievements so far in the senate and return to Sokoto state with a datasheet chronicling how his 18 months stay in the Senate, so far, had positively impacted the lives of the people of his immediate local community, home local government area and his senatorial district. This, according to APC stalwarts in Sokoto state, “should be the beginning before he expresses his interest to challenge Wamakko for the position of Sokoto State APC leader. He is just in his first term and he wants to contest the position with our former governor who has been in politics even while he was still in the civil service.”
Indeed, Lamido retired from the foreign service of the federation before being propped by his people to retire to the senate where he has been observed to be without major activities. In an age when senators are rated based on the impact they make in the regions they represent, many people in Sokoto state APC, including the youths, argue that Lamido is yet to be seen and felt by the people and as such cannot be the leaders of the party in the state.
It is for this reason that the North West Alliance for Good Governance (NAGG), an appendage of the Sokoto state chapter of APC, has thrown its weight behind Wamakko saying that with the former governor, the party is in safe hands. Hear NAGG’s position as conveyed by its Secretary, Comrade Auwal Shuaibu, during a press briefing in Kano. He said: “You cannot stop internal wrangling in any political party, but what is supposedly going in our Sokoto State chapter is an avoidable distraction. For years, the party has been peaceful and tranquillity, under the able and tactful leadership of Sen Wamakko. For some over-ambitious elements to come from nowhere and try to usurp the leadership structure under Sen. Wamakko is the height of deceit.
“Where were the usurpers, both Sen Lamido and Hon Gudu, when Sen Wamakko was painstakingly building the structures over the years? I think it is in their best interest to desist from causing distraction and allow the party to remain in peace so that the governor can stay focused and deliver democratic dividends to Sokoto people.”
NAGG Chairman, Amb. Abdullahi Muhammad also added his voice in support of Wamakko saying: “In any case, Sokoto State is a major player in the entire Northwest political calculations. Sen Wamakko has always been a critical contributor to the development of the region and the country. He has provided direction and fatherly advice to all. His support for the incumbent governor, Dr Aliyu Ahmed is unflinching and refreshing. So what is the need for all these make-believe stories about a crisis? Those instigating this should desist from doing so. We need to support both the governor and leadership of the party under Sen. Wamakko.”
There are indications that Sen. Lamido’s quest may be orchestrated to instigate a crisis in Sokoto APC and seek to balkanize it, or hijack it, and use it to distract and derail Gov. Aliyu’s good works for the state. However, those orchestrating the move see Sen. Wamakko as the rock that must be moved. Sadly, the majority of the members and supporters of APC in Sokoto state stand firmly behind him. This indicates that Sen. Lamido’s quest will kick the bucket.
*Umaru contributed this article from Sokoto