Bamanga Tukur
Smarting from its suspension of Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is looking in the direction of Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal and two Northern governors for what a top cat of the party called anti-party activities.
Wamako was suspended because he refused to pick calls made to him by the party’s national chairman, Bamanga Tukur.
In a statement released in Abuja , PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh said that Mr. Tukur had called to ask the governor to explain his recent comments, but that the national chairman was unable to get across to Mr. Wamakko.
Mr. Metuh also said the governor refused to respond to a query sent to him, but instead asked Bello Sokoto, the party’s then secretary for the state to reply on his behalf.
Mr. Metuh argued that Mr. Bello Sokoto was too junior in party ranking to have responded to Mr. Tukur.
In addition, Mr. Metuh stated that it was improper for Mr. Bello Sokoto to have used the official letter head of the state government in his reply.
However, in spite of inference that the PDP is happy with Speaker Tambuwal, The Political Economist learnt that the party is espying the speakers activity log and analyzing his speeches to ascertain his level of loyalty to PDP. Tambuwal has in recent time fellowshipped and fraternized with the opposition parties but a source close to the Speaker defended his actions.
“We are aware that some people are worried each time the speaker attends events organized by the opposition but they should realise that he is the speaker of the House of Reps not of the PDP House. His duty is to attend to the needs of all Nigerians irrespective of party affiliation”.
Metuh’s statement reads:
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to set the records straight on the reasons for the suspension of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as a member of the PDP.
The decision to suspend His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko came 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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 prescribed sanctions for any member who (c ) “disobeys or neglect 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” respectively.
Nevertheless, the NWC, vide a letter dated April 17, 2013 kindly requested His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu MagatakardaWamakko 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.
Regrettably, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko never honoredthe 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 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 traveled 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.
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.
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.
