“Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work”. – Seth Godin
Since the advent of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, no deputy governor in Nigeria has survived an impeachment once his principal decides that he or she must be removed. In fact, deputy governors were derogatorily referred to by the late Chief Chukwemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra state, as “spare tyres” that often function at the pleasure of their principals, most of whom were modern day emperors.
The only exception to this rule is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, who effortlessly stalemated the several impeachment plots by Attahiru Bafarawa, his then principal, until he voluntarily resigned in 2006, having taught the imperial Attahiru Bafarawa some lessons in politics; a rude reminder to Bafarawa who rode on Wamakko’s popularity to the governorship. The indefatigable Wamakko went on to become the governor of Sokoto state in 2007 and, unlike many former governors who faded into oblivion after their tenure, Wamakko has since remained in total control of Sokoto state politics, and waxing stronger. That’s what happens when the people are the source of your power.
Philip Shaibu, the embattled deputy governor of Edo state, only survived the impeachment onslaught by Governor Godwin Obaseki by the grace of the court and not on account of his political strength. Same with Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the present governor of Ondo state who equally survived by the grace of the court and the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Deputy governors, since 1999, are endangered species. To worsen their situation, the State Houses of Assembly have not been helpful in questioning the usual charges of “gross misconduct” levied against them; which sometimes could be a case of the governor waking up from the wrong side of his bed, or that a marabout had predicted that his “hated” deputy would take over from him contrary to the “emperor’s” political permutations. And the judiciary because of the provisions of Sections 143 (10) & 188 (1) of the 1999 Constitution which “wickedly” ousted the jurisdiction of the courts, is hardly able to save any embattled deputy governor except where the conditions for impeachment were not fulfilled to the letter.
Considering Wamakko’s overwhelming influence in the politics of his home state of Sokoto and beyond, it is rather surprising that some newspapers would attempt to dignify a political neophyte who woefully lost his polling unit, ward and local government in the 2023 National Assembly elections, by bestowing on him a power that he doesn’t have. For the newspaper to even insinuate that he is in a struggle with Wamakko for the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sokoto state chapter when the likes of former governor Bafarawa who supposedly had some “political clout” was easily retired and sent into political wilderness, is a political insult. Same fate certainly awaits the character who the highly celebrated Chinua Achebe likened to the Nza, the bird, who after a heavy meal forgot himself and challenged his chi (god) to a battle. Of course, his chi (god) completely floored him in a battle that he had absolutely no chance of winning like the character in question.
Senator Wamakko and Senator Ibrahim Lamido have an excellent relationship. And whatever problem Lamido has is with the party, which would at the appropriate time definitely speak on the matter.
The media has a duty to be more interrogative before conferring “giant killer” status to a joker who to date has no bill to his name and has not made any contribution on the floor of the Senate. So, how in earth can such a political non-starter factionalise the APC in Sokoto state, a party that made him? Thankfully, the 2027 elections are around the corner for him to be handed the resounding defeat he deserves. Without doubt, he would certainly join the league of one term senators who once they come to Abuja have formed the habit of declaring war on the party that made them.
Back to our subject. Senator Wamakko, for the heights that he had attained in his public service career and for what he has achieved in politics merits being studied as either a political or administrative course in Nigerian universities. The political enigma known as Alu to millions of his supporters has withstood several orchestrated attempts by his benefactors to politically annihilate him, including a military administrator that was instigated to retire Wamakko due to his political profile but ultimately had to accept the reality that the irrepressible Wamakko couldn’t be vanquished and let him be. But because man has short memories and never gives up due to an erroneous belief that he would eventually succeed where others have failed, as the case with Bafarawa who since 1999 has made the political destruction of Wamakko his preoccupation, despite his spectacular failures has refused to give up.
It is a fact that the relationship between Wamakko and Bafarawa, who were elected in 1999 on the ticket of the now defunct All People’s Party (APP), deteriorated immediately after the election, because former governor Bafarawa was vehemently opposed to the more popular Wamakko succeeding him despite riding to power on Wamakko’s popularity. Bafarawa’s efforts failed because Wamakko, the “mere deputy”, showed that he was “on the ground”, the political slang that conveys a politician being in firm control of the structures of the party.
So, despite their machinations, they have continued to plot in vain and Wamakko not only survives, but also continues to wax stronger and his political family continues to consolidate its firm control of Sokoto state politics. Unknown to Nigerians is the fact that Wamakko would have been the vice president to President Bola Tinubu, but he politely declined, for personal reasons.
An offer that someone like Aminu Tambuwal, without Aliyu Wamakko’s network and capacity, would have jumped at. Just three years into Tambuwal’s tenure as governor, he had contested for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and attempted running in 2023 until he chickened out. It is doubtful if he can try again in 2027, having no political base and access to resources, and having burnt all the bridges of support across board.
Even Bafarawa attempted to be president three times, including running on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), and failed. Only Wamakko did not catch the presidential bug.
Bafarawa, who at the height of his power boasted that even his cap would defeat any candidate that dared to contest against it (his cap) in Sokoto state, cannot today produce a councilor talk less of a senator or governor, unlike Wamakko his political nemesis, who has severally pulled off the feat with little or no effort, because the people believe in him.
Bafarawa has himself to blame because he chose the path to political irrelevancy by viciously going after Wamakko. He should continue enjoying his self inflicted political wilderness; the price of betrayal.
It is important to stress that the likes of Tambuwal and Bafarawa fighting Wamakko is clearly because of the genuine love for him by the poor, rather than them investing in the people like Alu does, they continue to prefer a transactional relationship. It is the law of nature: love is reciprocal and you don’t reap where you didn’t sow. So, why do they begrudge Wamakko?
Recently, through the instrumentality of Wamakko, the Muslim World League of which he is a highly influential member, awarded full scholarship to 732 orphans worth over N1 billion. The beneficiaries were selected from the 1,146 registered orphans in the state. It is gestures like this, his renowned compassion and his accessibility, that have endeared him to the people. Despite the tall heights Alu has attained, he is in every respect unlike many elites who have a transactional relationship with the people. The doors to his residence are open to the downtrodden, whether in an election season or after, which many of those who claim they want to fight him cannot do.
Like a cat with nine lives, Wamakko has and would continue to mesmerise his political opponents with his deft moves. You write off Wamakko who in the length and breadth of Sokoto state is simply known as “Leader” or “Alu” at your own peril.
Wamakko’s political tentacles stretch far beyond his Sokoto state. Because he is extremely private and reserved, not many people know that he is a personal friend of President Tinubu. Many other politicians would flaunt the relationship that dates back to their student days in the United States. Whatever doubt about his political status was further demonstrated in the recent cabinet reshuffle when he got one of his political sons, Barrister Bello Goronyo, moved from Water Resources to Works and his political ally and bosom friend, Muhammadu Dingyadi, appointed Minister of Labour.
Wamakko’s approach to politics is tactical and goal-oriented. He played a pivotal role in the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo,the incoming governor of Edo state. So, how can such a man, a valuable member of the APC, be rattled by what isn’t even a storm in a teacup?
According to John Zenger, a German journalist, great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but the presence of clear strengths which, in the case of Wamakko, are numerous.
Ado writes from Kaduna, Kaduna state
