The Police Command in Sokoto State has confirmed the death of one person as a result of stray bullets fired when hoodlums allegedly attacked Gov. Aminu Tambuwal’s motorcade in Sokoto on Saturday.
The victim, a 22-year-old man died yesterday as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) clashed at Gawon Nama area of Sokoto State.
The deceased who was identified as Imrana Ahmad Alkanchi was said to have been hit by a stray bullet at the scene of the clash.
It was alleged that some political thugs loyal to the APC attempted to block Governor Aminu Tambuwal’ s convoy passing through Gawon Nama area where the house of an APC leader and former governor of the state, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, is located.
Tambuwal, who was returning to Sokoto for the first time since he lost out at the PDP national convention was received by a mammoth crowd who thronged the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport as early as 10am.
A long motorcade of the governor’s convoy and supporters took over the major roads of the metropolis, driving to the Government House where the governor was expected to address the supporters.
A cousin of the deceased and Information Officer at the state owned university, Zayyanu Shehu, confirmed the death, adding that the man was waiting for a motorcycle to take him to the Gawon Nama market when the bullet hit him.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Cordelia Nwewe, said they were investigating the matter and that they would address the press in due course.
Tag: Tambuwal
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1 killed in Tambuwal motorcade as APC, PDP supporters clash in Sokoto
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Tambuwal congratulates Atiku, pledges support for 2019 polls
Sokoto State Governor and former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has congratulated former vice president Atiku Abubakar for his emergence as the standard flag bearer of the party in the 2019 presidential election.
In a letter addressed to Atiku dated October 8 2018, Tambuwal pledged to support Atiku’s presidential bid.
See the full letter below:
October 8, 2018.
His Excellency,
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON,
(Wazirin Adamawa)
Former Vice President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS
On behalf of my humble self, my family, and millions of my supporters from across the length and breadth of the country, I heartily rejoice with and congratulate Your Excellency on your emergence as the standard flag bearer of our great political party, the PDP at the just concluded National Convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Your emergence in a transparent process is a testament to the fact that the PDP is now a reformed party and has sent a strong signal about our resolve to bring about the desired national transformation needed to turn around the fortunes of our beloved nation Nigeria.
The task at hand, going forward, is to ensure victory at the polls in order to save our fatherland from the current regime of annihilation bestriding it.
This calls for unity of purpose that admits of no division, no distractions and no internal wrangling. I commit myself to this task and urge all members of our great party to roll up their sleeves and set to work as members of one united family.
Congratulations once again and please accept the assurances of my continued goodwill
Signed
Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR,
Mutawallen Sokoto -
PDP gives return tickets to Saraki, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso after presidential primaries
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to give return tickets to three of the losers from Sunday’s presidential primary.
They are: Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso.
According to reports making the rounds in the media the three men have been gifted tickets for the Sokoto governorship, Kwara Central and Kano Central Senatorial positions respectively.
The tickets were given to them, after the names previously listed for the above positions were dropped.
Atiku Abubakar emerged winner of the primary conducted in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
The former vice-president won by a landslide, garnering 1,532 votes.
Saraki polled 317 votes, while Tambuwal got 693.
Although a candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial district, whose name was not disclosed, had emerged through consensus means, arrangements could still be made for Saraki to become the PDP Kwara Central Senatorial District candidate and his name submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission before the period for submission of candidates closes on Monday.
In a report published in Punch, Kwara state PDP chairman, Alhaji Kola Shittu confirmed that there was a procedure for Saraki to emerge as the candidate if he so wished.
Shittu said, “If he (Saraki) so wishes, there are procedures of doing that. We have affirmed somebody through consensus. Since tomorrow is the last date for the submission of candidates, there is the possibility of him emerging this night (Sunday). It is still possible.” -
Exclusive on PDP Presidential Primary: Massive gang up Against Atiku, Tambuwal
By Mideno Bayagbon
First the good news: the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not implode after all, if the feelers through out the night of the determination, at the various strategy and horse trading meetings, are anything to go by.
Bad news is, it is going to the ropes, who will emerge as the presidential flag bearer of the party. Two shockers: It might not be Atiku Abubakar; it might not definitely be Aminu Tambuwal.
As the PDP chieftains meet today at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium in Port Harcourt, they all seemed agreed that the overwhelming interest of the party to kick out President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress is paramount. They appear resolved to bury personal interests for the overall good of the party and Nigeria. The contending forces, which i had earlier times described as the Wike Tendencies, were late in the night almost agreeing that the Northwest should be allowed to have a go at it, for several reasons, the main one being that it is the zone with the highest number of votes.
Atiku Abubakar, seemingly the most prepared and the person, who on the face value, could have built a bulwark of nationwide
support, strong enough to truly challenge the incumbent is facing serious betrayals from two fronts. A large segment of the party apparently has not forgiven him for hopping off, all so frequently, to other parties when his loyalty was needed most. He was also being viciously painted as a self centred, egoistic, untrustworthy candidate by his traducers all through the night.
Then, there is the Olusegun Obasanjo factor. Except in Yoruba land where he is terribly underrated, Obasanjo, today, is a major factor in Nigerian politics. He is undoubtedly the leader of the “owners” and deciders of what and who should be in Nigerian national politics. Atiku’s failure to win him over has driven a large number of the leaders and delegates away from the Atiku train. His case is made worse by the fact that even General Theophilus Danjuma is rumoured to be also against his bid for the presidency. It was not looking good at all for the Waziri Adamawa very early this morning. Pundits insist it will take a miracle, and very serious realignments and horse trading to bring fresh life into his bid to overcome the obstacles.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state too seemed to be acquiescing to the many pressure on him to temper his support for Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who already has a fall back position of re-contesting for the governorship of Sokoto state. Like all wise men, Tambuwal and his principal had this fall back position in place when Tambuwal silently bought both the presidential and governorship forms. The thinking in the party, as the many meetings and horse trading went on throughout the night, seems to indicate that a preponderance of people believe that Tambuwal lacks the necessary gravitas and experience to defeat a Buhari at the presidential poll. He is encouraged to wait for now. The olive branch to him is that he is penciled down to be a major player in future.
Nevertheless, what seems to turn the tide against Wike and Tambuwal appears to be the fact that most of the PDP governors are not in agreement with Wike’s forceful push to have the Sokoto governor as the candidate of the party. Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo (who is being pressured to step down too) and some of their colleagues do not see any reason why they should support a Tambuwal bid. Then there is also the quietly whispered reason: most do not believe a Tambuwal ticket will be strong enough to oust the incumbent.
It was, however, looking good for Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sule Lamido as their stock kept rising last night. They appear to be the two frontrunners among those backed by the Generals last night. Before now, while some people were skeptical of Kwankwaso because of his perceived rabid islamic disposition; indeed, some see him as an educated version of Buhari, his backers now say that is an underhand assessment by his opponents.
Until the new realignment begun, however, Sule Lamido was considered a very weak candidate indeed. But one day, they say, is a long time in politics. Those pushing his candidacy now paint him as urbane, intellectual, widely accepted nationwide, lover of the down trodden.
Abubakar Saraki was being courted all round throughout the night. The believe is that he knows that the time is not ripe for his presidency. As a leader volunteered last night, he is still seen by the core moslem north as an outsider. The believe too is that anyone who will confront and supplant President Buhari must be someone the core north sees as one of them. It is agreed, however, that he must be assured of his retaining his current Senate Presidency in the incoming assembly. His case is almost similar to that of David Mark whose candidacy is seen as a ploy to also angle for the senate president’s seat. The rumour that the Generals drafted him into the race was quietly dying last night. The fact that he is a Christian mars his ambition greatly at this time.
A seeming winning strategy adopted by some of the candidates is the push to have delegates believe that “The Generals” are behind them. The names of Obasanjo, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma, are top of the list name droppers are mouthing.
This is where Kwankwaso and Sule Lamido, who has the additional talakawa support, come in. They are not just Fulanis, but respected Moslems. Add this to the fact that they are also from the Northwest, same zone as President Buhari and Aminu Tambuwal. As they seemingly gain more support, Ahmed Maikarfi who is a former chairman of the PDP, also from the Northwest, was also waiting in the wings for a possible swing of fortunes to him.
Money, especially vote buying, was also playing a major role in the game last night. Major spenders of course are the Wike group; and Atiku Abubakar was not also letting things lie low. This is his final attempt to run for the presidency of the country and he was not resting on his oars as the various conspiracy groups were wracking their brains to come up with an acceptable, winning formula last night.
Be that as it may, the top four contenders as at the time of putting this together were Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido, Aminu Tambuwal and Atiku Abubakar. We continue to keep an eye on the developments as they continue to unfold. -
2019: Tambuwal consults Obasanjo in Abeokuta
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Wednesday night held a closed- door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his Abeokuta residence.
Tambuwal seeks to be president in 2019 on the platform of the opposition party, PDP.
Tambuwal who addressed journalists after the meeting which lasted for about 50 minutes and ended few minutes to 9.p.m. said he was in Abeokuta to consult with Mr Obasanjo in respect of the 2019 polls.
“Obasanjo is one of the critical leaders of the country and it is necessary for me to consult with him concerning the 2019 polls, particularly on my aspiration to contest for the presidency of Nigeria.”
Recall that Obasanjo led Nigeria on the PDP platform (1999-2007). He left the party in the build up to the 2015 general election. Although he supported President Muhammadu Buhari then, he has since fallen out with the president and is working against his re-election.
The governor expressed optimism that Nigeria could still attain greater and enviable height particularly if the citizens vote rightly in the 2019 polls.
He advised that every component part of the nation should be given an opportunity and sense of belonging in the Nigerian context.
Tambuwal also urged political gladiators not to make the 2019 election a matter of “do or die”.
He described the clamour by the youths for increased participation in the governance process in Nigeria as ” justified” considering the high percentage of their population in the country.
Tambuwal called on the present leadership to accord them more opportunities to participate in governance process.
The Sokoto governor is one of the leading aspirants for the presidential ticket of the opposition party, PDP.
He is believed to enjoy the support of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who has a huge influence in the PDP and was able to influence the choice of Port Harcourt as venue of the party’s presidential primary.
The PDP presidential primary holds in the Rivers State capital on Saturday and Sunday.
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2019: Buhari, Oshiomhole mock Saraki, Tambuwal, others over defection to PDP
President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday sale the gale of defections that hit the party in the last few months had no effect whatsoever on the structure of the party across the nation.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) and some members of the National Assembly, defected in a move believed to have planned to cripple the party.
Buhari and Oshiomhole spoke at the party’s sixth National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja – the first under the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The President, who arrived at the APC national secretariat at about 11.20am and departed at 2.16 pm, said the party must ensure hitch-free, fair and credible primaries which will be a precursor to a free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.
Buhari congratulated the new NWC leadership, saying: “The team emerged at a turbulent time when there were rumours and speculations of massive defections in such a way that could rock the very foundation of the party.
“Despite reconciliatory attempt to keep the house together, some members were hell bent on pulling down the roof. They left, threatening to go along with scores of people. But due to the work of the new party leadership, the exit barely made a dent on our super structure as they could not muster the figure they had envisaged to cause an upset, particularly in the two chambers of the National Assembly. The APC remains in control and is increasing by the day with quality people joining the party.”
The President added that as the party marches towards the primaries, “I ask all and sundry to ensure that we play the game according to the rules. Let us come out with free, fair and credible primaries which will be a precursor to free, fair and credible election next year.
“Let us shine the light through our primaries and the rest of the country will find the way. Our primaries must be in complete compliance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Electoral Act and, above all, the constitution of the party.
“This is the time we must work for unity, harmony and togetherness. Let us all join hands to move the party forward. We must take our party to the next level and I urge all and sundry to give support to our National Working Committee.
“The new National Executive Committee members assumed duty at a very critical time. With the general elections coming very early next year, 2019, any political party worth its salt must get its internal dynamics right and march as a team.”
Buhari assured of his commitment to fulfilling his electoral promises, saying “Hope is rekindled in our heart that we will give our country purposeful leadership and improve the quality of life of the people.
“We will continue to secure the country, fight graft and reposition the economy in such a way that jobs can be provided for our youth and give them a future and hope. We will fulfill all the promises we made to Nigerians. We are fulfilling them and will continue to serve with heart and might to build a nation where peace and justice and prosperity shall reign.”
Oshiomhole said ambition was responsible for the exit of those who defected and not because of any thing done to them by the party.
He said: “I stumbled on a quote which might interest Mr President and I think it summarises what has happened to us. I can’t find anything more appropriate.
“I do not know exactly the occasion and I don’t know the date this statement was made by one of Nigeria’s foremost political leaders who was described as the best president Nigeria never had, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“In one of his works, he said, ‘For the Progressives to be in power, they need the support and collaboration of some Conservatives. After attaining power, the conservatives would on their own move away. The progressives, once the conservatives have moved away on their own, would now build a great party that will move the nation forward’.
“Mr President, the conservatives have moved away. So, this was bound to happen because when we promised change, they all sang it, but it had different meanings to different people.
“For some, it was to be the change that would lead to more of the same but for the Nigerian people; they know that change meant a move from a political order that services only the political elite at the expense of the poor and the masses.
“When it became clear that this change cannot allow business as usual, the conservatives left on their own. Our party is stronger, smarter, more cohesive and there is no better evidence than the fact that we have won all the major elections after they left the party.”
He recalled the efforts of his NWC to persuade those who defected to stay adding that although some people left, the efforts paid off with many senators and Representatives staying in the party.
“I made a comment which seems to have been misunderstood in some quarters, when I said that if some individuals of no particular fixed political address decide to leave, I will not lose my sleep.
“I speak of no particular fixed address because if you have a history of moving every season from one political party to the other with one constant thing in mind, to contest, now what is your political address? So, for people like that who are migrant politicians, rolling stone politicians, I am not able to identify their political address and, therefore, I refuse to miss my sleep.”
On defectors, Oshiomhole said: “We have seen people who go back to their communities to defect and we see ‘uncommon defectors’ but the others sat in their chambers, in a guest house and prepared their defection notes. Some are known to have remained in Abuja, detained by their own conscience and unable to visit their constituencies.
“So, I want to assure you that we have purged ourselves of excess fat that would have possibly interfere, with the flow of blood in our veins. We are stronger, more determined and we are much certain of our future.”
Turning to the President, he said: “We asked the President to continue to provide leadership to deal with the vices that have detained Nigeria and which seem to explain the paradox that has detained Nigeria, a country that is so rich and its people so poor.
“Mr. President, God has a purpose for sparing your life and that is because you have not finished the mission that He entrusted to you, to lead the forces of change, to reposition our country, reorder our values and to encourage all of us.
“Those who submit to change, in spite of their past, still have a chance to play a role in the commitment to rebuild the nation and ensure it offer hope to every citizen.
“Mr. President, you are the only one who has had the courage to look at western leaders eye ball to eye ball and ask them to return the stolen money. If you have stolen money in their vault, you won’t have the courage to say so. None of your predecessors has had the courage to say so in the manner that you did. Those are things we are proud of and they give us courage and confidence that Nigerians will not be fooled come 2019.”
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Tambuwal picks PDP presidential nomination form
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Thursday picked the presidential nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Tambuwal, who was accompanied by many of his supporters, picked the nomination form at the Wadata Plaza, headquarters of the PDP in Abuja.
Tambuwal is one of the governors who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to the PDP.
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2019: Buhari speaks on Saraki, Tambuwal, Akpabio, other defectors
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday reacted to the recent defections of some top politicians from one party to the other.
At a lunch with some APC governors accompanied by some members of the national and state assemblies and commissioners, the president wished the defectors “good luck.”
“For those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck,” he said.
Recall that scores of political office holders and their supporters changed parties in the past few months in the build up to the 2019 elections.
Some of the defectors include Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and ex-governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom. While the first three left Buhari’s APC for the opposition PDP, Akpabio, a senator, moved from the PDP to the APC.
While Akpabio resigned his position as Senate Minority Leader upon his defection, Saraki has said he will not resign as senate president, contrary to the wish of Buhari’s party APC.
However in his statement released on Thursday by presidency officials, Buhari did not speak on whether or not Mr Saraki should continue in office as senate president.
The president, however, said in Daura on Thursday that the combined efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from the good work it is doing for the benefit and development of Nigeria.
He said the ruling APC has the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them.
‘‘We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus.
‘‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption we have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.
‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, commended the president for his great efforts in keeping the nation together through visionary leadership.
He noted that President Buhari had remained focused and unshaken by situations and circumstances, adding that ‘‘it shows that your administration is approved by God.’’
Okorocha told the president, ‘‘we are here to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing you as Nigerians are very very pleased with you.
‘‘We also want to inform you that we had wonderful and peaceful Sallah celebration across the country because of security of lives and property you have guaranteed in our nation.’’
Governor Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano and Niger States.
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2019: Rivers Govt knocks Tinubu for linking Wike with Tambuwal’s presidential ambition
The Rivers State Government on Monday berated a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for linking Governor Nyesom Wike with Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s 2019 presidential ambition.
Recall that Tinubu had on Sunday in a statement stating why some high profiled defectors left the APC accused Wike of luring Tambuwal to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the promise of getting him the PDP presidential ticket.
In a statement he issued in Port Harcourt on Monday the State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Emma Okah, said Wike has a culture of respecting elders, including Tinubu but accused the leader of not reciprocating the gesture.
According to Mr Okah “Governor Wike has not discussed the political ambition of Governor Tambuwal with Senator Tinubu any day and so Senator Tinubu cannot rely on mere rumour to speak unfairly about the governor in the way he did.”
Okah said Mr “Tambuwal is a matured adult who has the capacity to take critical political decisions for himself without prompting from Gov Wike.
“When as Speaker of House of Representatives, Governor Tambuwal defected from the ruling PDP to the APC, why did Senator Tinubu not say that Governor Wike had a hand in it at that time or is it because it favoured Senator Tinubu’s APC?”
The commissioner urged elders to “exercise restraint at times like this.”
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Tinubu tried to break APC after he was denied VP’s slot – Tambuwal
Sokoto State governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has refuted claims by the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, that he left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because he could not be given an automatic ticket in 2019.
Tambuwal also accused Tinubu of trying to destroy APC after he was denied being President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2015 presidential election.
Replying in a series of tweets on the Sokoto Government House handle @ SokotoGovtHouse, Tambuwal said contrary to Tinubu’s statement, he left the party because of the failure of the current administration.
Tinubu had, in a letter on Sunday, said that Tambuwal and Senate President Bukola Saraki left the APC because they were afraid to test the strength of their popularity in a primary election with President Muhammadu Buhari. The National Leader of the APC said: “Governor Tambuwal’s exit can be distilled to one cause. He covets the presidency. However, he had not the stomach to challenge President Buhari in a primary.”
But Tambuwal poohpoohed Tinubu’s claim. He said: “If I wanted to and if the presidency is why Ahmed Tinubu thinks I defected, I could contest with President Buhari under the APC. I have what it takes to have contested with Mr. President. “Tinubu tried to rock the boat when he was denied Buhari’s vice presidency. He thinks every other person could behave his way.
If I wanted to contest under the APC as president, I could have done so and only the votes could have produced a winner.
“In any case, Tinubu is confessing that there is no level-playing ground for all members of the APC; that there is no internal democracy in it and that some people were denied their right to internal democracy.
“I adduced reasons of my defection to the PDP. The reasons are still on record. Automatic ticket by the APC is certainly not part of that.”