IDIBIA GABRIEL writes on the ‘cold war’ between Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi ahead of the governorship contest in 2015
As the 2015 draws nearer, the struggle for power at all level intensifies as it keeps dominating political discourse. Political activists are beginning to reminisce on those events that shaped previous elections, particularly the 2011 electioneering.
The purpose of this may not be unconnected with underground scheming by vote seeking political jobbers ready to woo the electorate for their preferred candidate for some pecuniary gains. Similarly, parochial interests of some political office holders have also become manifest with many electorates also trying to re-group themselves under different political affiliations, ideology and godfathers to pursue their political interest.
Of course, in Kaduna, the political headquarters of the North, the story is not any different, as loyalists are sharply divided between the two most influential political godfathers in the state namely Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, both former governors of the state. Even though the scenario may not be so obvious to many, political actors clearly understand the squabble between the two political godfathers.
Already, governorship aspirants from the two opposing camps have overtly or covertly emerged with the ultimate intention to occupy Kaduna State Government House in 2015. The two political combatants are pushing hard to further solidify their base by ensuring the next governor emerges from their camps. To achieve this, the outcome of the 2011 poll is been used as proper guide on who emerges as what. The emergence of a strong opposition-the All progressives Congress (APC) has of course made this desirable as 2015 promises to be a tough battle.
Even between these two gladiators, it is not going to be an easy one, giving the long standing cold war between them. Compared to 2011 when the duos had a commonality and unanimity of purpose in their choice candidate, the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the present political equation presents a different scenario. It’s on record that Yakowa served under the two as deputy governor. While Makarfi appointed Yakowa to replace late Stephen Rijo Shekari who died while in office as his deputy in 2005, Sambo, who succeeded Makarfi, nominated Yakowa as his running mate in the 2007 governorship race which gave them victory.
Again, Yero’s emergence as governor following his boss’ death is another reason the contest promises to be exciting and rough. Funny enough, the trios of Yero, Sambo and Makarfi all come from the same constituency in Zaria province in the northern part of the state. Although the VP who is the immediate godfather to Yero had laid claims to Zone 2’ Kaduna Central severally by virtue of his years of place of residence, he is originally believed to have hailed from Zaria City. Sambo had lived most of his life time in Kabala West area of Kaduna Central. Conversely, Makarfi, Sambo’s supposed godfather, hails from Makarfi, in Makarfi local government area of the northern flank of the state.
Although both Makarfi and Sambo are PDP stalwarts, the duos have been having consistent irreconcilable political differences which many variously ascribed to some reasons, including the unsavoury comment allegedly made by Makarfi over Sambo’s Kaduna Millennium City Project when the latter was governor.
Besides, the differences can also be traced to Sambo”s elevation as VP and his damning declined respect for Makarfi as godfather. Although the lawmaker and the nation’s number two citizen had publicly declared sheathing their swords during the inauguration of Ambassador Audu Bajuga as PDP Chairman in 2012 at Yar’adua Hall, Murtala Square, recent developments are to the contrary.
For instance, Makarfi’s absence from various PDP state caucus meetings presided over by the VP, on account of what some believe to be flimsy excuses, and the threat to suspend him from the party activities in recent time are pointers to this effect. Whatever may have accounted for the sour relationship, the bad blood seems to still exist between the duos in view of their conspicuous dispositions to different governorship contenders in the current political dispensation in the state and the passion with which they are pushing for the 2015 showdown. Beyond promoting political Interest of different governorship candidates, critics are of the views that this tendency is capable of undermining the strength and popularity enjoyed by the ruling party in state, which might translate to a major advantage for the opposition.
While Namadi’s camp is fully in support of Governor Yero’s continuity in office in 2015, and believed to be routing underground for the party’s automatic ticket for Yero , sources say Makarfi’s camp is the brain behind Isah Mohammed Ashiru’s governorship ambition for 2015. Blueprint also learnt on good authority that even though some members and supporters of Makarfi camp are yet to openly identify openly with Ashiru’s aspiration, who defected to the opposition APC,r has done a lot of ground work.
For instance, Ashiru recently had a meeting with his campaign team from all the 23 local government areas and also at the ward levels. His candidature is said to be gathering support from across the state.
Former state chairman of PDP, Yaro Makama Regachukwu now APC, former Secretary to the State Government(SSG) Hassan Hyet and former federal lawmaker, Ruth Jumai Ango among others, are alleged to be on the long list of Ashiru’s supporters as well many other strong PDP stalwarts who believe in Makarfi’s course.
Keen political players however believe that Ashiru’s defection to APC to actualize his governorship dream, has further brightened Yero’s chances at the PDP congresses to produce the party’s candidate.
To ensure perfection, Sambo and Yero, his foremost political godson have reportedly gone far in trying to establish political machineries in the state ahead of 2015. In line with this plan, the governor upon assuming office, immediately dissolved his cabinet and appointed former chairman Chikun local government council, Hon. Madami Garba Madami as Special Adviser on Political Affairs, SSG, Director of Media and publicity and Chief of Staff and other key government functionaries from Southern Kaduna and northern part of the state. Madami was later redeployed as commissioner in charge of economic planning.
As usual, there were hue and cry of political vendetta during the dissolution of cabinet even though majority of them had allegedly overstayed their tenure in offices.
Shortly after the dissolution of cabinet, the leadership of the state House of Assembly, under the Speaker, Hon. Usman Gangara and his deputy, Dr. Dogara Mato were impeached. The impeachment generated a lot of controversies, as some political opponents pointed accusing fingers at the VP Sambo. The matter is still in court.
The impression generally created, according to political observers, was to remove the remaining structures of late Yakowa to smoothen the political environment for his successor to establish himself and engender full support and loyalty of the House leadership.
Yakowa’s political machinery, according to the political calculation of the current administration was faulty and was unable to achieve any electoral victory for the vice president in his ward and local government level in 2011,hence the need for a complete overhaul. The new crop of leadership of the state legislature and the newly appointed commissioners, who are mostly former chairmen of local governments, are loyal to the incumbent governor and are believed to be solidly on ground. With the scenario painted above, one can safely say that the 2015 electoral contest in Kaduna will not be an easy one either way.