Some politicians in Sokoto State on Thursday expressed support for Gov. Aliyu Wamakko after he was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) on Wednesday.
Alhaji Muktari Mapia, the party’s Deputy Treasurer in the state, on Thursday expressed surprise over the suspension order, saying the NWC should rather work out a political formula that would strengthen internal democracy in the party.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, Mapia described the NWC’s action as obnoxious
He said “the party badly needs internal democracy to confront the opposition come 2015 rather than suspending a faithful and loyal member who has contributed positively towards the development of the party.
“It is only Sokoto State where all the councillors, local government chairmen, House of Assembly members, House of Representatives and Senate members belong to the same political party.”
Mapia said the electorate in the state belonged to PDP based on political structures put in place by Wamakko.
“Any party that Gov. Wamakko chooses to go, we will be fully behind him because he has demonstrated to be a good leader that has the interest of our people at heart,” he said.
Mapia called on members of the NWC not to allow themselves to be “deceived by some unscrupulous Abuja-based politicians who hail from the state and cannot win in a polling unit”.
He said that the exemplary leadership of Wamakko had made it possible for the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Also, Alhaji Abdullahi Bafarawa, a PDP chieftain in the state described Wamakko’s suspension order as a big joke.
“The national chairman of party has allowed the Abuja politicians who have nothing to offer to deceive him in taking that decision,” he said.
Bafarawa said that the opposition was watching the development, adding that the action posed a threat to the party come 2015.
“All hands should be geared towards political reconciliation among faithful members so as to confront the opposition,” he said.
He called on the party’s supporters to remain calm as Wamakko was “a leader that wishes all well in the politics of development of the state and the country at large”.
The Chairman of PDP in Sokoto North Local Government Area, Alhaji Muhammadu Dangoggo, expressed dismay over the action of the NWC, saying: “we are fully in the party because of Wamakko and we will follow him anywhere he goes.
Dangoggo said “only God gives and takes leadership and He will do so in 2015 and beyond.”
An opposition politician, Alhaji Ibrahim Chika, said “we in the opposition will welcome Wamakko into our fold with open arms if he decides to ditch PDP and join our party.”
