Crisis is rocking the APC in Sokoto state over the recent retreat in Kaduna organised by the state government for legislators-elect.
The retreat, which is traditional for new legislators at state and national levels, was scheduled for members elect in Kaduna, especially the first termers, on functions and procedures of the house.
Sources said members-elected on the platform of APC decided to boycott the programme after a stormy session at the residence of the party’s leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.
The Senator, according to sources, had called the APC legislators to a meeting and admonished them against attending the retreat, instead offered to organise an alternative induction for them in Abuja and a further incentive of a trip to Saudi Arabia at his expense.
However, we learnt Senator Wamakko’s order did not go down well with a number of the members-elect, who therefore staunchly opposed the directive to boycott the retreat.
The dissenting legislators questioned the rationale for shunning the programme, which they described as critical to discharging their mandate and responsibility to the people.
Also, they were said to have reminded Senator Wamakko that he had recently attended a similar retreat at national level for senators and members of the House of Representatives elect.
Following the resolved of the opposing members, a returnee to the house representing Gwadabawa, Abdullahi Sidi, called the Acting Clerk, Abdulrasaq Shehu, to inform him of the boycott by APC legislators.
While the PDP members are already in Kaduna for the retreat, the sharp disagreement has continued amongst the APC legislators on the whether or not to attend the retreat, with some of them showing concern about the overbearing attitude and dictatorial tendencies of the APC leader.
Two APC legislators-elect, who sought anonymity expressed bitterness over the boycott, saying that the obligation of all members should be to their constituencies and not any godfather.
They expressed the view that Senator Wamakko’s current interference is an indication of his future conduct, which would have negative impact on governance and service delivery to the people of Sokoto state.
