Sokoto: Sen. Lamido Shooting Self in the Foot
By Sani Isma’il
It’s indeed unfortunate that I’d have to ration treasured moments to put up this piece. It is especially so at this time in history when the country, particularly the northern part, is hugely plagued by rampaging insecurity, unbearable economic hardship, and the persistent power outrage which negatively impacted on the livelihood of the citizens at all levels. In an ideal situation, this should have been our cause for concern. Of course, every right-thinking mind must at this time be occupied with possible ways out of the prevailing challenges bedeviling us as humanity.
In fact, if there’s anything worth my write up, it should have been on the nation’s prevailing situation and call on the leadership to buckle down to curtail the monsters that threaten our peaceful coexistence and unity. Though, it’s duty bound, and prosperity will judge us for lending our voices.
But, waking up this morning reading trending story where some districts heads reported to have purportedly resigned their positions in solidarity and loyalty to the camp of an estrange politician, Senator representing Sokoto East, Ibrahim Lamido, on the ongoing political crisis in Sokoto State is a cause for concern, especially looking at revered history of the state, the triggers of the crisis, and those involved. It’s important to save the respected image of our traditional institutions, and the Sokoto scenarios is not only denigrating such institutions but also discouraging our leaders to mentor and help our young ones to grow. So, it worths my time.
It will also tamper with the progress of the state most certainly. This is so for people who have been keenly following the political history of the state, especially the relationship between the former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamako who’s also the State’s leader of the ruling APC and his political son, Sen. Lamido.
It’s pertinent to recall that Ibrahim Lamido was bought into politics by Senator Aliyu Wamakko in 2023, and before that time, he was an alien in Sokoto, he neither been known within the political firmament of the State nor the constituency he’s now representing.
Notwithstanding his reasons for going against Governor Aliyu and Senator Wamako and that of those political district heads who amusingly resigned to join him, the views of a vast section of the public is that the duo of Sen. Wamako and Governor Aliyu are being betrayed by a benefactor is not the least flattering. Though, politicians see it as inherent part of the game but it’s obvious that when someone betrays you after you must have trusted and helped him, it is, as our society views it, the true reflection of the character of the betrayer. It is believed that Wamako has done his best in nurturing Lamido to his present status.
Also, reading through the statements of the purported district heads, it’s amusing to note that the only reason they gave was they’ve decided to join Lamido’s political camp because he has been coming to their aid whenever bandits strike their domains. It’s rather laughable, when did our traditional leaders become politicians and were they blindfolded when Governor Aliyu has been giving support of armoured vehicles and logistics to the military fighting the bandits that resulted not only in decimating them but killing most of their leaders including the notorious Halilu Sububu and his lieutenants thereby liberating the communities?
As part of his determination to end banditry and kidnappings, Governor Ahmed Aliyu administration has in less than two years, procured and distributed over 120 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state, with military having the larger share, and also restored the monthly allowance to security personnel deployed to trouble areas which was hitherto stopped by the immediate past administration.
Conversely, Governor Aliyu has set up Sokoto State Community Guards where vulnerable youths were selected from the 13 local government areas of the State, trained by the military and deployed to hotbeds of criminalities to support the conventional securities. And he did not stop there, the governor provided the corps with state headquarters and local government offices in addition to 40 Hilux patrol vans and over 700 motorcycles for smooth operations.
It’s sad that the so-called district heads would deny all these feats and fall gullible to political manipulations of Senator Lamido. It’s right for anyone to join politics but lying and playing politics with consecrated traditional institutions is inimical to our core values and societal standards.
For the key actor in the game, desperation always kills and biting the fingers that once fed you will not make you successful but destroys you and your aspiration, you can be what you aspire to be but don’t ever destroy the bridge that led you to your present status.
Though the governor is quite busy doing what he’s voted to do without throwing stone to anyone that barks, it’s glorifying to join issues with someone who have embarked on a journey of self-destruction and political flip flop. For him, this isn’t the right time for politicking but governance, when it comes, everybody will know his fate.
In fact, to those who keenly followed the overwhelming and successful political journey of Sen. Wamakko, a former two-term governor of Sokoto State, and third term Senator, is a political general and a brand that has, apart from having successful political outings over the decades, trained many politicians not only in Sokoto State or the Northwest geo-political region, but in the entire Nigeria.
Today, if you look at all the political office holders in Sokoto state under the APC, right from the person of the governor himself, his cabinet, National Assembly members including Mr. Lamido, you will discover that they cut their teeth under Wamako’s political tutelage. And under his leadership, the APC is intact especially with the remarkable development recorded by Governor Ahmed Aliyu. And no amount of propaganda and shenanigans will change the Sokoto political status including myopic luring of traditional leaders into a capsizing bandwagon.
With the foregoing, Senator Lamido is shooting himself in the foot!
Isma’il writes from Abuja
