PDP Suspends Sokoto Governor, Wamakko

Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko

By: Chuks Okocha

In line with the warning by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, that the party will take further disciplinary action against its erring members, the party Wednesday announced the suspension of the Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, for anti-party activities.

Following a petition from the Rivers State chapter of the PDP, the party, last week, had suspended the state Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Amaechi.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metu, the party said: “The NWC (National Working Committee) notes that on several occasions, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko had ignored invitations and lawful directives of the NWC in this regard and has continued to show complete apathy to the affairs of the party and contempt to an organ of the party.

“Consequent upon the refusal of the governor to honour yet another invitation by the NWC to appear before it today, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, without any reason, the committee, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57(3), 57(7), 58. 1(c), (h), (f) and 59(1), (2), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as a member of the party and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the party.

“This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the party to enforce discipline at all levels within the party.”

Although it was impossible to reach the governor, who was away in The Netherlands Wednesday night, his suspension might not be unconnected to his refusal to respond to queries issued by the party in recent months.

A party source explained that shortly after his statement about two months ago that he does not recognise Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Wamakko was queried by the party.

However, instead of personally responding to the query, he directed the secretary of the party in the state to reply to the query, which drew the ire of the NWC.

Also, repeated invitations by the party to get Wamakko to address his refusal to respond to the query did not help matters, said a source.