14/10/2021
[OPINION] SOKOTO 2023: WHO SUCCEED TAMBUWAL
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is yet to blow the whistle for the commencement of political activities but, the political space in Sokoto state is abuzz with talks on who succeeds Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal whose tour of duty ends on May 29th, 2023.
The most critical and cynosure of all eyes in the State would be the Governorship election. What is however a bit dicey to the people of Sokoto state is who becomes the next occupant of Lodge Road Government House.
Currently, in the ruling PDP camp, it appears no mention whether openly or discreetly on the likely successor. Gov. Tambuwal has left people guessing about his choice of successor even as he targets the presidency nobody knows for sure the candidate he has in mind. In the APC camp led by the Former Governor of the State, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko there is a bit of uneasy calm when some key party chieftains rose against what they termed "the overbearing nature" of Sen. Wamakko in the party.
Arrowheads in the crusade include House of Reps member, Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and Speaker, Sokoto state House of Assembly, Aminu Achida but, analysts position opined that the dust seems to have been dounced after the Wamakko camp defeated the recalcitrants members during the recent Party Congress held in the State.
Traditionally zoning argument on the Governorship position in Sokoto has little or no impact on the political arrangements hence, it was reported that zoning never take a center stage in succession bid but, rather opted for an individual successor. As we approach 2023, some politicians have commenced a subtle push on the zoning narrative in the State to advance their individual chance in the 2023 duel. Proponents of zoning argued that the next Governor should emerge from Eastern Senatorial District. But Pundits stated that to be on the side of equity and fair play, and also to shun the potency of turning Sokoto into a more zoning sensitive State, however, pointed out that since power has rotated to all the three Senatorial Districts it will be politically right and just to throw the contest up for grabs amongst the three Senatorial zones.
The current Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal hails from the Southern zone, his predecessor, Aliyu Wamakko is from the central zone, while the governor before him, Attahiru Bafarawa hailed from the Eastern zone. It was observed that politicians more especially those nursing Governorship ambition from the PDP extraction are now playing it cautiously to ensure they remain in the good books of Governor Tambuwal.
HOPEFULS ON PARADE.
However, pundits tipped some notable personalities likely to succeed Tambuwal in 2023.
1. HON. MANIR MUH'D DAN'IYA
The number two helmsman in Sokoto state. He began his political sojourn in 2004 when he was elected Chairman Kware local government council a position he held until 2007 when he resigned to pursue his ambition to represent his Kware/Wamakko federal constituency in the House of Representatives under the Democratic People's Party DPP but it did not materialise. He served as Special Adviser to the then Speaker, House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal. In 2015 he was appointed Commissioner for Local Government Affairs a position he still supervised as Deputy Governor.
The soft-spoken, easy-going Dan'Iya is very shrewd, politically crafty, very loyal, and submissive. He has tested the sweet and bitter pills of success and failure in politics. Analysts describe 2023 as a payback time for Dan'Iya due to his sustained loyalty and dedication to Gov. Tambuwal and his administration. He was, however, entrusted with the PDP Governorship ticket in 2019 when Tambuwal took part in the PDP Presidential Primaries. Similar scenario also played out in 2015 when Govs Rochas Okorocha and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Imo and Kano states respectively muster such idea of adopting temporal tickets holders, when they both slug it out with President Muhammadu Buhari, and in later years compensated such loyalty of Uche Nwosu and Abba Kabir Yusuf with the 2019 Governorship tickets of their respective states. If he decides to throw his hat in the Governorship ring, Dan'Iya will definitely be a force to reckon with because he enjoys support from party Juggernauts, serving Commissioners including local government bosses that are firmly in his grip. The Sokoto Prince is also said to be enjoying a cross-party appeal in the State. He still needs the support of his principal to make headway. Dan'Iya holds the traditional title Walin Sokoto. He also reported to have a deep pocket and also deviant billionaires in the State are backing him to succeed his boss.
2. SENATOR IBRAHIM DANBABA.
The current Senate minority whip, representing Sokoto South Senatorial District in the Senate. The Ex-Director in the federal civil service came into the political limelight in 2015 when he took the Governorship shot under the APC but was prevailed to step down from the race before the primaries were held and was rewarded with the Senate ticket.
His quest to return to the Senate in 2019 after he defected to the PDP was booted in the elections but was later reinstated through a Court of Appeal verdict. If Senator Danbaba decides to appear in the Governorship scene come 2023 he will be banking on his financial war chest to execute his ambition. He also needs to spread his support base across the State as he is only known within his Southern district he represents. People will also question his stewardship in the Senate.
3. SA'IDU UMAR
He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He holds an MBA from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Currently serving as Secretary to the Sokoto State Government. The astute banker and a former lecturer with no political past was introduced into the murky waters of politics when he was appointed Commissioner of Finance during the early days of Gov. Tambuwal's first term.
A very calm and vast individual, to some extent he has certain things in common with his boss. Above all, they were childhood friends. Umar was reported to be among the names been propped up to succeed Tambuwal in 2023, the claim his supporters constantly rebut. If he decides to join the race his good relationship with the ulamas (Islamic clerics) will come to play. His scholarly cm traditional title; Malam Ubandoma have earned him more than a handful of loyalist amongst the ulamas. He also chairs the yearly Ramadan feeding program, which was said to have impacted on many hungry mouths in the State. He also enjoys considerable admiration among some sections of youths in the State.
4. MUH'D MAIGARI DINGYADI.
He is currently the representative of Sokoto state in the Federal cabinet serving as the Minister of Police Affairs. Dingyadi is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He was a Permanent secretary at various Ministries in the State. At the return to democratic rule in 1999, he was appointed secretary to the Sokoto state government by Former Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, the post he held until resigned in 2006 to drive his Governorship ambition with the heavy backing of Gov. Bafarawa then, under the DPP party but was defeated by PDP's Former Governor, Aliyu Wamakko in a controversial election that led to a protracted legal tussle that lasts for four years.
Katuka like he's fondly called referring to his traditional tilted was a household name. He remained off the political radar for a while only to bounce back after he was appointed Minister in 2019. If Katuka wished to try his Governorship luck again, he stands a better chance to emerge as the APC candidate because enjoys tremendous respect amongst the party chieftains and also the party leader in the State.
5. AHMED ALIYU SOKOTO
He is the immediate past Deputy to Governor Tambuwal between 2015-2018. Currently serving as the Executive Secretary of the Police Trust Fund. He came into the political cycle in 2007 when he was appointed Commissioner for Social Welfare later in the Ministry of Health by Governor Wamakko then.
In 2015 he was elected Deputy Governor alongside Governor Tambuwal. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto was the anointed candidate for the APC in the 2019 election when he run against his erstwhile boss, Gov. Tambuwal but he could not close up the lead PDP had taken in the election.
His decision to try his luck in 2023 is overly dependent on his political godfather whom he, Ahmed Aliyu lean so heavily to make ANY political impact. Pundits contend that he had no political base and convincing the electorates to accept him might be a tall challenge. Observers believed that if the leader of the party in the State shut his doors off words of wisdom and opt for Ahmed Aliyu's choice again it will prove a bleak future for the APC.
6. DR. BELLO ABUBAKAR GWIWA.
Alias Bello Gwiwa is from an administrative background. He was a very popular, powerful, and influential Permanent Secretary in the State civil service, serving at the Ministry for local government affairs and Ministry of Education respectively.
He is the Commissioner for Basic Education presently. In the build-up to the 2015 election, indications emerged that the flamboyant trained administrator is preparing the ground to succeed his boss, Gov. Aliyu Wamakko then. Dr. Gwiwa was rumoured to have withdrawn from the race before it even began and supported the emergence of Gov. Tambuwal. In 2015 he was appointed Commissioner of Lands and Housing.
His attempt to represent his Kware/Wamakko federal constituency did not see the light of day. After the failed attempt he was again appointed Commissioner. Public opinion has it that if he decides to join the race in 2023, the retired perm sec will be counting on the support of civil servants in the State where he had a considerable influence, he would also bank on the network of friends he has across the State. He is believed to have a deep pocket.
7. ALH. YUSUF SULEIMAN.
He is a former Minister of Transportation and later Minister of Sports in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Hold Bsc Business from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and MBA in the same institution. In 1999 he was appointed Executive Director at the National Maritime Authority of Nigeria NIMASA before he resigned in 2003 to run for Sokoto East Senatorial seat on the platform of PDP but lost. Served as Chairman Governing Council of the National Teachers' Institute. He's currently the Board Chairman of NAFDAC.
In 2012 the Sokoto Prince resigned his ministerial position to contest the PDP Governorship. His daring decision then earns him more than a few acolytes. The veteran contestant has never gone beyond the Primaries stage.
If he decides to revive his dream come 2023 he has to contend with other forces in the All Progressive Congress or seek the blessings of the Party leader, Aliyu Wamakko. He also enjoys a considerable liking within the State. People say he is a cheerful giver.
8. HON. ABDULLAHI B. SALAME.
He is currently a ranking member of the House of Representatives serving his third term. In 2007 he became Speaker Sokoto state House of Assembly a year after (2008) he assumed the position of Acting Governor of the State through a Court of Appeal pronouncement.
Pundits noted that one did not need to be told but, all actions of the Former Acting Governor are tilted towards the 2023 Governorship. He recently was engaged in a spat with the APC leader, Wamakko over what he termed the 'overbearing traits' of Wamakko in the APC.
He is believed to have a large-scale disconnection with people as even his residence was said to be a shadow of itself. Of recent Rep. Salame have been involved in a bromance with the ruling PDP in the State. It was rumoured that the PDP in the State is trying all it can to woe Salame to its camp to aid in the destruction of the Wamakko camp. As It stands nobody is sure which party will he contest on.
9. SEN. IBRAHIM A. GOBIR.
He is a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic. Currently serving his third term in the Senate since 2011. Gobir is a trained electrical engineer. He was appointed as Director of, Union Bank of Nigeria. He served as Managing Director Taifo Multi Services Limited, Abuja. He is rumoured to be among those eying the Lodge Road Government House come 2023 which he and his supporters never denied.
Political observers noted his being in the race this time is an indication that the APC primaries must be up for a massive challenge due to his financial strength. Gobir needs to spreads his tentacles across the State.
10. HON. MUSA SARKIN ADAR.
S Adar as he is fondly called in the State. The graduate of Political science is the longest-serving federal parliamentarian in the history of Sokoto state serving since 2007. He is representing the Gada/Goronyo federal constituency in the House of Representatives as a fourth termer.
He worked with the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA before he resigned to pursue his political dream. He did not add to the list of bench warmers in the House, he's reported to have contributed to deliberations on the floor of the green chambers. If he decides to vie for the Governorship voters will question his stewardship in his 16 years of representation. Observers contend that S. Adar is more of an Abuja base politician as he is not popular among citizens in the State. He may be rewarded with the APC ticket for his loyalty.
11. AMB. FARUK MALAMI YABO.
He served as Commissioner of Finance later Ministry of local government affairs in 2007 when he was brought to political notice by then Gov. Aliyu Wamakko. Yabo was believed to have been groomed as the likely successor to Wamakko in 2015 but, was prevailed upon to step down for Gov. Tambuwal at the last minutes. In the build-up to the 2019 elections when Tambuwal left APC for PDP discerning minds in the State hinge the APC Governorship ticket on Yabo but, only for Wamakko to have a change of mind thus opted for Ahmad Aliyu.
Yabo's ambassadorial appointment facilitated by Wamakko kept the tongues of traducers wagging that it might be a part of the Wamakko ploy to distance Yabo from the local politics. If Yabo decides to join the Governorship fray again it will not be business as usual as like it being touted he will be a lone ranger unless he hopes to revive his political structure which at this time stands as a tall challenge. Yabo is calm, soft-spoken, and very calculative. An astute international businessman of repute with contacts both national and international.
Amb. Yabo's intimidating resumè is unmatched. Insiders from Gawon Nama (Wamakko residence) said his potential third attempt at the Governorship under APC might hit the rocks again due to the fallback in the cordial relationship that has existed between the duo (Wamakko & Yabo). If he runs and wins in 2023, Yabo will bring to bear his worth of experience. He is said to be financially muscled to execute his campaign. His residence is a Makkah of a sort, he connects with the low and high in the society. He is also vastly popular and well respected.
12. SAGIR ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA.
He is the son of the Former of the State, Attahiru Bafarawa. He is a British-trained financial expert. Born in 1984, he started his banking sojourn as one of the Group Managing Directors of United Bank of Africa UBA.
Bafarawa Jr. began his political journey in 2015 when he contested to represent Isa/Sabon Birni in the House of Representatives under the PDP but lost. He played a significant role in the 2019 successful electoral outing of Gov. Tambuwal second term. Currently, the Commissioner of Environment, his appointment in 2019 was greeted with jubilation from the young PDP members in the State.
If he decides to join the Governorship fray it will be a simple case of Gov. Bafarawa; the father, and Gov. Bafarawa; the son. His personal qualities will come to bear surely but, he will lean heavily on his father.
13. HON. ABDUSSAMAD DASUKI.
Currently the Commissioner of Finance Sokoto state. His journey to political life kicked off in 2011 when he contested and won a seat in the State House of Assembly representing the Tambuwal constituency on the PDP platform. In 2015 he succeeded the then House of Reps Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal to represent the Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal constituency under the APC.
During his four years stint in the House of Reps, public opinion rated the Sokoto Prince as the best among the league of Sokoto Federal lawmakers in terms of quality representation. After his failed bid to take a shot for a second term in the House in 2019, Gov. Tambuwal so the need to tap from his economic expertise, thus he was appointed Commissioner of Finance.
His coming as Finance Commissioner so a number of reforms in the State treasury. His sterling performance saw the end of the hitherto porous system of salary payment in the State. He is also rumoured to have the ears of the State Governor. All these successes not without stepping on many toes but the young Prince remained unperturbed.
Dasuki's rising profile in politics and intellectual discourse informed keen watchers of politics to posit that the trained Economist with wary eyes for propriety and figures is being propped up to take over Lodge Road Government House in 2023. The Sokoto Prince was quick to dispel rumor mills in a local radio interview saying "I'm not nursing any Governorship ambition". If by any chance he joins the Governorship bid he will be a good material to sell but, coming from the same local government with Gov. Tambuwal might be a minus. Dasuki holds the traditional title SanTurakin Sokoto and he is amongst the children of the late 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki.
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