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Sokoto:Sen. Wamakko’s 9 Years Of “Poor” Representation In The Senate

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Sokoto is known for leadership and where religious knowledge is deep-rooted. So, leaders from the Caliphate are well respected and honour by people from other parts of the country. The reason is clear, Sokoto is the seat of Caliphate that produced great leaders and Islamic scholars of high repute.

So, nobody expects less when it comes to leadership in the state, but if you are a keen observer and follower of activities in Nigeria, you would wonder if the Sokoto they are talking about today, have any link with the activities of the great leaders and scholars that were in charge of Sokoto of years back. Certainly, not, because the kind of leadership is not the same, today its political leadership and followers of Nigerian politics know that, the present day politics can’t provide the kind of leadership the Sokoto of the past provided.

Analysts questioned the negative trend ascribed to Sokoto state. They asked several questions including but not limited to how can the great Sokoto state be rated among the educationally backward states in Nigeria? Why should Sokoto be rated among the poorest state in Nigeria? They are worried that it is not acceptable to count Sokoto state among states with negative statistics on child and maternal health; malnutrition should not be an issue in Sokoto. In fact Sokoto should not be among the state that should be faced with insecurity challenges.

But all these and more are prevalent challenges in Sokoto state and this call to question the kind of leadership the political class in the state are providing. For those who are concern about the happenings in the state, are begining to doubt all the positive publicities some top politicians in the state are enjoying for years.

One politician in the state that fortune has smiled on since the inception of this political dispensation in 1999 is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, he has been around for so many years, from the grassroots to the mainstream politics of the state Wamakko has been at the forefront of leadership in the state. He was deputy governor for 7 years, governor for eight years and now Senator for nine years.

Wamakko enjoyed positive publications as a governor and had some landmark achievements ascribed to his name. He was seen as one of the performing governor in the state. Even though critics and analysts have contrary opinions. They said in terms of impact and cost analysis of some of his projects and or their lifespan/durability, Wamakko’s tenure is more of a disservice to the people of Sokoto than a blessing.

To buttress their argument, the critics and analysts, drew the attention of people of Sokoto to compare what his predecessor Sen. Ibrahim Lamido has done in terms of quality, durability and relevance to the general wellbeing of Sokoto people and the plethora of substandard projects Wamakko littered Sokoto with.

They further argued that to assess the quality and sincerity of Wamakko as a leader, his nine years as a senator should be critically scrutinized and the result of the findings be made public for all to judge. According to the analysts, Wamakko has not represented his people well. As a Senator, they said, he has held privileged committees that should be beneficial to the entire Sokoto, but no soul aside members of his inner circle that has benefitted from his senatorship seat.

They explained that the years of neglect of local governments like Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Silame is the obvious reason why the Lakurawa terrorists group existed in the area for over 8 years unnoticed by the Nigeria government.

Sokoto North senatorial district comprises of Sokoto North and Sokoto South, Wamakko, Kware, Binji, Silame, Gudu and Tangaza, you go round these local government areas and point to one particular thing the senator has done for members of the senatorial district.

Yes the eastern senatorial district of Sokoto is facing serious security threat in the last seven years, and this has affected socioeconomic activities, which has increased the level of poverty in the region. However, for the last 17 months, things have began to change for better. Purposeful leadership and deliberate actions to change the fact of things can be witnessed.

The purposeful leadership of senator Ibrahim Lamido and deliberate attempt to find a lasting solution to the many challenges affecting the region are so glaring for all to see. For instance, the deliberate investment in education of youth from the region is one sure way of liberating the region from the grip of unscrupulous elements taking advantage of poor level of education in the area to recruit terrorists.

In an unprecedented move and boldness to confront the deep rooted challenges of poor quality of education, Sen. Lamido has sponsored about 50 youth from the zone to study in various fields of human endeavours in India. This is in addition to many interventions in the education sub-sector from the senator, who out concern to the education of youth, declared war against poor education in the region.

This is not happening in any of the senator districts of Sokoto including Sokoto central where Sen. Wamakko spent 9 years representing his constituents in the Red Chamber. It has never happened, it is not happening and I am not sure if there is any plan to do anything like this by the two other senators for the teeming youth in their respective zones. All the eight local government areas of the senatorial district need education intervention including the two metropolitan, but nothing close to this has ever happened. Why won’t Sokoto be rated as educationally backward state when leaders don’t see the need to invest in education of the teeming youth?

Due to the security challenges, Sokoto state is faced with a lot of humanitarian challenges as a result of banditry attacks. And Sen. Lamido has responded well to these challenges. He did not stopped at distribution of relief materials and visitation of victims of banditry attacks, rather engaged in a very robust package of intervention where over a hundred of widows were empowered with N250,000 each to engage in micro and small businesses so as to become self-reliant.

This is done, to facilitate the resuscitation of the economic activities of eastern senatorial district that has suffered from bandits attacks and Sen. Lamido is doing all these from the point of knowledge, that no nation can survive insurrection if it’s people are economically incapacitated.

In the entire nine years of Sen. Wamakko, nobody can provide the record that he has done this kind of gesture. Nobody is talking about giving rice and clothing materials to widows and orphans. Nobody is talking of photoshoot with people who genuinely need humanitarian assistance, but leaders are taking pictures to further exploit people in need of assistance.

Sen. Lamido’s contributions in fighting insecurity in the eastern part of Sokoto if replicated by other senators in the state, nobody would be talking about the Lakurawa terrorists group in Sokoto. Sen. Lamido had from time to time assist communities’ efforts towards ending insecurity. In fact, with permission by the federal security agencies, Sen. Lamido funded the civilian JTF to support the mainstream security personnel in fighting the terrorists operating in the zone. This is in addition to many efforts that can’t be express in black and white due to their sensitive nature all in a bid to restore peace and normalcy in his region.

Such exemplary leadership is lacking in other parts of the state including in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Gudu Tangaza Binji, Wamakko, Silame and Kware where Senator Wamakko is representing.

Needless to engage in lengthy write up, if Sen. Wamakko in his 9 years did 10% of what Sen. Lamido has done in 17 months in fight insecurity, the Lakurawa terrorists group wouldn’t have penetrated into Nigeria.

The security challenges in the eastern part of Sokoto is receiving the adequate attention of Sen. Lamido. Beside his contributions in fighting banditry, the senator he has equally provided many communities with good drinking water, relief materials and other supports to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with a view to making their better.

Signed:
Concern Sokoto State Progressive Mind.
Convener

Opinion

Open Letter To The Executive Chairman, Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

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Dear EFCC Chairman,

Re: Urgent Call for Investigation into the Conduct of EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command

I respectfully write to draw your urgent attention to serious irregularities, unlawful actions, and deliberate misconduct being carried out by officials of the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, which are tarnishing the integrity and credibility of the Commission.

Sir, the EFCC team in Kaduna, including the Director and several sectional heads, have engaged in actions that not only undermine the Commission’s mandate but also violate the principles of fairness, justice, and due process. I humbly appeal for your direct intervention to investigate the activities of the Kaduna office, as I possess solid evidence of their misconduct.

The EFCC in Kaduna claimed to be investigating an alleged **₦30 billion case** against me, *Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello*, my company *Formal Act Legacy Ltd.*, and our donors, *United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)*. However, rather than conducting a transparent investigation, the Kaduna Directorate created **unsubstantiated and unnecessary charges**, including:

* A **₦10 million charge** involving a company that legitimately supplied *four Hilux vehicles* and completed *four solar-powered boreholes* for four communities—fully executed and paid for since early 2023.
* Charges relating to official vehicles sponsored by **Wema Bank**, for which Formal Act Legacy has been servicing the loan for over two years.
* Additional **₦54 million and ₦37 million charges** that are completely mischievous, baseless, and unrelated to the real issues.

Sir, these false charges are a distraction. The real issue is simple:
**Contractors have executed projects and supplied drugs, hospital beds, and equipment for free medical outreaches across communities—yet many of them have not been paid.**

Instead of focusing on why these contractors remain unpaid, EFCC Kaduna is fixated on fabricating charges over a donor-funded project designed to benefit all **774 Local Government Areas** in Nigeria in line with Mr. President’s development agenda.

I respectfully ask: **Will you, as Chairman, fold your arms and allow this injustice to continue—knowing fully well that Mr. President entrusted you with this sensitive national assignment because of your integrity, competence, and loyalty?** I believe the answer is no.

Sir, I am a committed member of the APC, and I know the level of trust Mr. President has placed in your leadership. I therefore appeal that you look into this matter objectively and grant all parties fair hearing and justice.

CC:
– Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption
– National Security Adviser
– National Human Rights Commission
– Others as appropriate

Thank you for your attention.

Signed:

Dr. Bashir Ibrahim Bello
MD/CEO, Formal Act Legacy Ltd and
African Sub-Regional Coordinator, United Charity Foundation (UCF-FICOD)

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Opinion

How Political Persecution Pushes DSP Barau, Doguwa Ahead of Others – Study

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By Abba Anwar

Today’s piece looks into some parts of the finding of a study recently conducted by a teamwork of experts, who specialize in the study of political risk framework and development, over some key political personalities from Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted on state by state basis.

The one that is readily available now, is that of Kano state and other few states. In the report, the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is seen as one of the leading political figures from North, one of the pillars, who suffers too much political persecution from within his party and from without.

Be that as it may, the years long orchestrated ploys, designed framework for political fall down and display of open hatred to the identified individuals included in the study, differ from an individual politician to another across the states.

“What is more fascinating about our findings, is the fact that, all those targeted for disruptive political life, across our states of study, Northern Nigeria, are waxing stronger day in day out. In real term, some of their detractors have started diminishing down the ladder,” the study reveals.

The study further reminded that, “The political challenges of the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin started since during his membership of House of Representatives, from 1999 to 2003, from Tarauni federal constituency. Under the banner of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Referring to the time when Right Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba, was the Speaker House of Representatives. While Barau was the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation.

Looking back to history, the report reminded all that, Barau was confronted with internal political blackmail, harassment and intimidation from PDP circle. Then, he was one of the closest, members to Speaker Na’Abba. When the then President Olusegun Obasanjo fought Na’Abba’s re-election in subsequent election, through the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Barau also falled victim as Na’Abba.

As returning match, during the same election, Na’Abba, Barau and other strong minds, put heads together and pushed Kwankwaso aside in 2003 general elections. Then the debut of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, under All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) platform.

While acknowledging that, throughout the political history of Kano, in recent political development, it was only Senator Barau who, switched from one Senatorial District to another entirely different District, vied for an elective position, which was higher, than the one he left, and emerged victorious.

Do you remember that? After the return of democracy in 1999, Barau contested for the House of Representatives in Tarauni federal constituency, which was under Kano Central Senatorial District, from 1999 to 2003. As a result of distortions, persecution and manipulations he suffered from his party men, he joined his ancestral space, Kano North, where he contested for a Senatorial seat and got it.

His political relocation to Kabo local government, of Kano North, created another corridor for his elevation to higher position of a Senator of the Federal Republic and now Deputy Senate President in the 10th Assembly.

The authors of this study, know clearly how and where Barau started from, the faces and manifestations of persecutions he suffered, unwanted display of bitterness by his long standing detractors and largely internal hatred, which all culminated into his elevated position. With the socio-historical and political background of the DSP, as understood by the study, he could be called the last man standing, in that arrangement, since the return of democracy after prolonged military rule.

“Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin is also the first Deputy Senate President from Kano state. This also places him above many of his contemporaries. We are also aware of how he has been getting his tickets for the seat he is occupying now, in previous and last elections. We all believe that it is Almighty Allah Who Guides his path,” according to the study.

Many qualities of the DSP’s political life and positions, are soundly acknowledged in the study, that I cannot discuss them here. But people will get to know more when the result of the study is released.

Senator Barau’s interventions across the spectrum are well acknowledged and appreciated by the study. Ranging from his constituency projects, genuine and meaningful empowerment and other interventions since when he was a Member of House of Representatives from Tarauni federal constituency, up to the feats he achieved as a Senator.

They include his scholarship programmes, in local and foreign universities. Commending the choice of courses of study and schools selected. Like in the Nigerian universities, students were sent to study degree programmes in some of our premier universities, like Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Bayero University, Kano, University of Lagos, alongside other universities.

While a lot is said on the DSP, the study believes that, he won’t panic, no matter how deeper machinations he could face, as build ups to 2027. Assuring that, “… after our research we have come to realize that, Distinguished Senator Barau is not an ordinary politician. While his political fortunes are waxing stronger, his influence, is covering larger geo-political spaces.”

In the case of Honorable Alassan Ado Doguwa, member representing Tudunwada/Doguwa federal constituency, in Kano South the study enlists him as second to Senator Barau in the face of stiffer political persecution and repression. Yet, he, like Barau, is waxing stronger, day in day out and year in year out.

With all the stiffer and enhanced political persecution, within and outside his political base, Doguwa was the ONLY House of Representatives contestant who won his election in 2023, under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC), then. Yes he was faced with so many challenges and opposition, without any good backing and support from his APC base, then, yet with Allah by his side, he emerged victorious!

This study appreciates Doguwa’s political maturity and strength in slugging it out almost alone, for his image, his constituency and his party, at large. Signaling that, “Honourable Alassan Ado Doguwa, is another Barau in disguise. Many at times he is left with weak support from his party, at the state level, yet his influence, followership and strength are inching forward. At a speed that only Divine view can explain.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 15th November, 2023

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Opinion

Tribute to Late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba-Dembo

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By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo anipr

Death is an inevitable transaction as no one has immunity against its mode of operation, and it stings like rampaging bees.

On 5th November,2025 Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba(rtd) succumbed to the cold hand of death.Innalillahi waina Ilaihi rajiun.I would have prepared this tribute a day after his demise but I have been in transit from one place to another since I’m currently on my annual leave.Be that as it may, better late than never.

The former Chief of staff to President Obasanjo and Yar’adua was a gallant officer with an impeccable character.He was also an intelligent officer,who served as a former Governor in the old Benue-Plateau State between 1975 -1976 and Founder of National Security Organisation now Department of State Service from 1976 to 1979

Last week when I was in Abuja and I paid a visit to my mentor in the PR profession and the publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib,he described the late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed as one of the most intelligent Army officers in the history of Nigerian Army.He also said the country would miss him as his advice in the area of counter insurgency would have helped a great deal

Adangba,as we usually referred to him,as a Chief of Staff to Obasanjo touched many lives positively in Ilorin and beyond.This is not hearsay but what I knew,saw and heard.He facilitated many employment opportunities for Ilorin indigenes across military ,paramilitary agencies and MDAs.A very meticulous Army officer who did not believe in the so called public endorsement when he offered help.

Through his magnanimous employment opportunities,a friend of mine,a friend of my friend,a friend of my nephew and so on benefitted from him.He was a man who would be running around for you without your consent just for you to be great and be of help to others.He was a builder of men

Significantly, some of those he had assisted are also in position, where they are currently offering help to others

I owe him this piece not because I have benefitted directly from his selflessness but humanity emphasises on paying good with good.If I had not benefitted from him at least hundreds of Ilorin indigenes did and invariably I have benefitted too.He was a builder of men

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu Described General Mohammed as a disciplined,loyal, and patriotic officer whose remarkable service to the nation spanned decades of distinguished contributions to Nigeria’s stability and governance.

Talking about Late General Abdullahi Mohammed’s integrity and commitment to service of the country would be inexhaustible as many eminent Nigerians include Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Former President Obasanjo,Gov Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Saliu Mustapha and others have paid tributes to the late astute General.

May Allah in His infinite mercies forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah Firdaus, and give his family, Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the loss

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

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