By Yusuf Goronyo
Recent political developments in my dear state of Sokoto as well as the not-too pleasant roles of notable political figures in the revered Seat of the Caliphate call for urgent introspection and deep reflection. These intense political events if left unchecked have the propensity of not only destabilising the entire state, but could plunge it into avoidable crisis.
We cannot afford to watch desperate politicians in their attempts to score cheap political points cast aspersions at others. We in Sokoto state attach immense value to the relative peace we’ve been enjoying at a time neighbouring states are in enmeshed in regrettable turmoil and unrest.
The Sokoto state is a land blessed with men and women of honour and integrity whose words are usually their bonds. In my over three decades of existence in Sokoto state, I can authoritatively affirm that an average Sokoto person is not given to betrayal, cowardice or treachery. So, one really wonders when certain elements from the state are daily trying to rubbish the state’s pristine and very enviable records for political gains.
The crux of this article is to unearth a clearly orchestrated plot by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Aliyu Magartakarda of Sokoto state and their loyalists to blame the former’s political travails on the personality of retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, National Security Adviser, who incidentally is an indigene of the state.
In their thinking, all the political troubles that Tambuwal has been facing are clearly the making of the NSA. They said further that Dasuki is acting a script written by the Presidency to oust the Speaker from office. While some of these allegations are mere figments of imagination of those behind them, one thing that cannot be waved is the attempt to malign Dasuki and pitch him against the good people of Sokoto state and the north as a whole.
The NSA, knowing the enormity of the task before him, upon assumption of office drew a thick line between his office and politicians. The task of ending insurgency and ensuring national security are too serious a task to be toyed with. He knew the implications of hob-nobbing with politicians. He knows how treacherous, unreliable and desperate some of them could be, so in other While some sought to ascertain the veracity not to fail in his task, he kept a distance. Sambo has not only chosen not to be partisan in the execution of his duty, but has made it clear to even President Jonathan that he should be given a free hand to work.
As NSA, Sambo knows the power and influence he wields. But he doesn’t deploy them against those who disagree with him. He has refused to meddle in politics. Even when some had expected him to fight or muzzle the ‘enemies’ of his boss, Sambo has acted otherwise. Since the political crisis involving the Presidency and the Speaker started, Sambo has indeed kept a distance and remained neutral. Ideally, some had expected him to queue behind his boss, President Jonathan. When it was first reported that armed soldiers once harassed Tambuwal in Kaduna, the NSA condemned the act and wrote an apology letter to Mr Speaker. Sambo equally ordered a probe on the issue. In his estimation, the number four citizen doesn’t deserve such treatment. This, the Speaker and his loyalists can attest to.
Secondly, as recent as last week following the fracas that ensued at the National Assembly, spurious reports filtered in that the NSA has ordered the ‘immediate’ arrest of Tambuwal. The false report was another futile attempt to drag the NSA into a political matter. Shockingly, as at the time this report was released to media houses, Dasuki was outside the shores of Nigeria for an official engagement. So, how could someone who wasn’t in the country have promptly ordered the ‘immediate’ arrest of Tambuwal? This is another lame attempt to give a dog a bad name in other to hang it.
Thirdly, this time around it was our dear Governor Magartakarda Wamakko who accused the NSA of threatening him via a text message they both exchanged. It is curious the height people go to rubbish others. What do these guys expect the NSA to do in the face-off the Speaker is having with PDP? Do they expect the NSA to order their arrest for daring to challenge his kinsman, Tambuwal? Or should he go ahead and arbitrarily sack IGP Suleiman Abba for locking out the Speaker and others at the National Assembly? Let’s allow reason to prevail in all of these. I don’t think the NSA threatened the governor. The question on the lips of many is that, what could have possibly made the NSA to issue a threat to his own governor?
Without doubts, Nigerians and the good people of Sokoto state are not unaware of the fact that Dasuki can never take sides in the execution of his assignments. Like I stated earlier, the task of ending insurgency is too challenging to meddle in petty political disagreements. We in Sokoto state are quite aware of those pulling the punches. So, trying hard to go for the NSA’s throat on an issue he knows nothing about is a plan that cannot be hatched. For the simple reason that the NSA hails from Sokoto state and shares same faith with the Speaker doesn’t imply that he should rally support for him. Also, that he works under President Jonathan doesn’t imply that he should start arresting and jailing all his perceived political rivals. No. The man clearly knows what the demands of his office are.
Finally, let me on behalf of all Sokoto indigenes plead with Speaker Tambuwal and Governor Wamakko to in the interest of our dear state and country refrain from casting aspersion at Dasuki. He shouldn’t be distracted from his job. Let’s leave him out of politics. The idea of ganging up to frustrate the NSA’s effort at ending insurgency isn’t in the best interest of our dear country. He needs our support, cooperation and understanding.
Goronyo wrote from Sokoto. Email: [email protected]