Sokoto
State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) on Wednesday for not recognising the PDP Governors Forum, it was learnt
last night.
State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) on Wednesday for not recognising the PDP Governors Forum, it was learnt
last night.
Wamakko
was also said to have refused to accept the leadership of the PDP Governors
Forum, headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.
was also said to have refused to accept the leadership of the PDP Governors
Forum, headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.
But the
PDP yesterday denied that the governor was suspended because of his activities
at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
PDP yesterday denied that the governor was suspended because of his activities
at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Wamakko
was also accused of failing to pick the persuasive calls of National Chairman
Bamanga Tukur, on the party’s Governors Forum.
was also accused of failing to pick the persuasive calls of National Chairman
Bamanga Tukur, on the party’s Governors Forum.
A top
party source said: “In spite of the directive of the party, Wamakko has refused
to either recognise PDP Governors Forum or attend its meetings. He has been
sticking to the Nigeria Governors Forum headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
party source said: “In spite of the directive of the party, Wamakko has refused
to either recognise PDP Governors Forum or attend its meetings. He has been
sticking to the Nigeria Governors Forum headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
“Wamakko
believes the PDP Governors Forum is unnecessary because it was borne out of
political mischief. But the party tried to sell the idea behind the Forum to
the governor, who was not persuaded.
believes the PDP Governors Forum is unnecessary because it was borne out of
political mischief. But the party tried to sell the idea behind the Forum to
the governor, who was not persuaded.
“When
the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called him many times,
he refused to pick his calls. The party saw this as disdain for its leadership.
the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called him many times,
he refused to pick his calls. The party saw this as disdain for its leadership.
“So,
the NWC felt it should suspend Wamakko as part of its new policy to enforce
discipline in its fold.”
the NWC felt it should suspend Wamakko as part of its new policy to enforce
discipline in its fold.”
Another
source said: Wamakko was suspected to be one of the “rebel governors” who voted
for Governor Rotimi Amaechi during the NGF poll.
source said: Wamakko was suspected to be one of the “rebel governors” who voted
for Governor Rotimi Amaechi during the NGF poll.
“So,
some forces in the Presidency are uncomfortable with Wamakko because of his
“independent mindedness on issues,” said another source.
some forces in the Presidency are uncomfortable with Wamakko because of his
“independent mindedness on issues,” said another source.
But an
associate of Wamakko said: “Was Tukur phoning the right telephone lines? We are
in an era where governors change lines because of fear of bugging by some
agencies and mischievous elements.
associate of Wamakko said: “Was Tukur phoning the right telephone lines? We are
in an era where governors change lines because of fear of bugging by some
agencies and mischievous elements.
“Those
who are desperate for 2015 poll have been hijacking lines to measure loyalty.
Since most governors have discovered this trend, they stay off their lines. I
am sure Tukur might have been phoning wrong or dead lines.
who are desperate for 2015 poll have been hijacking lines to measure loyalty.
Since most governors have discovered this trend, they stay off their lines. I
am sure Tukur might have been phoning wrong or dead lines.
“Assuming
that Wamakko refused to pick Tukur’s calls, is there any provision in PDP’s
constitution for such an offence?
that Wamakko refused to pick Tukur’s calls, is there any provision in PDP’s
constitution for such an offence?
A
statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh yesterday said the
decision to suspend the governor was reached after “very wide and exhaustive
consultations”, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the
PDP and in the overriding interest of the party.
statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh yesterday said the
decision to suspend the governor was reached after “very wide and exhaustive
consultations”, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the
PDP and in the overriding interest of the party.
The
statement said: “It is important to note that the reason for the suspension of
Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko predates the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s
election.
statement said: “It is important to note that the reason for the suspension of
Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko predates the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s
election.
“Sometime
in early April, the leadership of the party was concerned with the statements
and conduct of the governor whereupon the national chairman placed several
calls to draw the attention of the Governor to the matters concerned.
in early April, the leadership of the party was concerned with the statements
and conduct of the governor whereupon the national chairman placed several
calls to draw the attention of the Governor to the matters concerned.
“However,
it was not possible for the national chairman to speak with the Governor
despite several attempts. The national chairman thereafter vide a letter dated
12th April, 2013, requested an explanation to the NWC within seven days.
it was not possible for the national chairman to speak with the Governor
despite several attempts. The national chairman thereafter vide a letter dated
12th April, 2013, requested an explanation to the NWC within seven days.
“Instead
of replying the national chairman, Governor Wamakko directed the Sokoto State
Secretary of the party, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto, to reply the national
chairman.
of replying the national chairman, Governor Wamakko directed the Sokoto State
Secretary of the party, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto, to reply the national
chairman.
“The
state party secretary, in a letter dated April 14, 2013 and on the official
letterhead of the Sokoto State Government House, replied the national chairman
on behalf of the governor.
state party secretary, in a letter dated April 14, 2013 and on the official
letterhead of the Sokoto State Government House, replied the national chairman
on behalf of the governor.
“This
amounted to gross disrespect and act of insubordination to a national officer
and a lawful organ of the party, which is in violation of Articles 58.1 (c ),
(h) and (m) of the PDP constitution, which prescribe sanctions for any member
who (c ) ‘disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or
any organ or officer of the party’, (h) ‘engages in any conduct likely to cause
disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful,
lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party’ and (m) ‘fails,
refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously’.
amounted to gross disrespect and act of insubordination to a national officer
and a lawful organ of the party, which is in violation of Articles 58.1 (c ),
(h) and (m) of the PDP constitution, which prescribe sanctions for any member
who (c ) ‘disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or
any organ or officer of the party’, (h) ‘engages in any conduct likely to cause
disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful,
lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party’ and (m) ‘fails,
refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously’.
“Nevertheless,
the NWC, vide a letter dated April 17, 2013, kindly requested His Excellency,
Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to appear before it on the 8th of May, 2013 to
clear the issues thereof.
the NWC, vide a letter dated April 17, 2013, kindly requested His Excellency,
Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to appear before it on the 8th of May, 2013 to
clear the issues thereof.
“The
NWC also wrote to the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto,
requesting explanations for his actions as a state party officer, in replying
the national chairman.
NWC also wrote to the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto,
requesting explanations for his actions as a state party officer, in replying
the national chairman.
“Regrettably,
Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko never honoured the invitation and refused to
respond in any way despite repeated invitations from the NWC, an action which
is in clear violation of Article 58.1 (c), of the PDP constitution. In the same
vein, the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, also refused to respond to the National
Working Committee (NWC).
Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko never honoured the invitation and refused to
respond in any way despite repeated invitations from the NWC, an action which
is in clear violation of Article 58.1 (c), of the PDP constitution. In the same
vein, the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, also refused to respond to the National
Working Committee (NWC).
“Consequently,
the NWC at its 336th meeting held on May 22, 2013 suspended the State
Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto and communicated the decision
to him in a letter dated May 22, 2013.
the NWC at its 336th meeting held on May 22, 2013 suspended the State
Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto and communicated the decision
to him in a letter dated May 22, 2013.
“The
NWC thereafter extended yet another invitation to His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko, in a letter dated May 23, 2013 in which it requested him
to appear before it on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to clarify the issues.
NWC thereafter extended yet another invitation to His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko, in a letter dated May 23, 2013 in which it requested him
to appear before it on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to clarify the issues.
“Unfortunately,
in complete disregard to a lawful organ of the party, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko, instead of appearing before the NWC, travelled out of the
country on Tuesday June 5, 2013 without any form of response to the party.
in complete disregard to a lawful organ of the party, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu
Magatakarda Wamakko, instead of appearing before the NWC, travelled out of the
country on Tuesday June 5, 2013 without any form of response to the party.
“The
NWC frowned at this act of gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and
was, therefore, left with no other option than to invoke relevant articles of
the PDP constitution in furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline
at all levels within the party.
NWC frowned at this act of gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and
was, therefore, left with no other option than to invoke relevant articles of
the PDP constitution in furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline
at all levels within the party.
“We
wish to state that the leadership of the party has immense respect for all
elected and appointed political office holders and in the same vein, expects
all political office holders to reciprocate by respecting the constitution and
lawful organs of the party upon which platform they hold office.
wish to state that the leadership of the party has immense respect for all
elected and appointed political office holders and in the same vein, expects
all political office holders to reciprocate by respecting the constitution and
lawful organs of the party upon which platform they hold office.
“The
NWC hereby restates that no individual or group within the party is, and must
be seen to be above the constitution and lawful organs of the party. All party
members are under the rule of the constitution of the party and must so abide”.
NWC hereby restates that no individual or group within the party is, and must
be seen to be above the constitution and lawful organs of the party. All party
members are under the rule of the constitution of the party and must so abide”.
Source: The Nation
