Wammako Suspended For Not Recognizing PDP Governors Forum

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was suspended by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday for not recognising the PDP Governors Forum, it was learnt last night.

Wamakko was also said to have refused to accept the leadership of the PDP Governors Forum, headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio as well as for refusing to pick the calls of the PDP National Chairman.

But the PDP yesterday denied that the governor was suspended because of his activities at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Wamakko was also accused of failing to pick the persuasive calls of National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, on the party’s Governors Forum.

A top party source said: “In spite of the directive of the party, Wamakko has refused to either recognise PDP Governors Forum or attend its meetings. He has been sticking to the Nigeria Governors Forum headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

“Wamakko believes the PDP Governors Forum is unnecessary because it was borne out of political mischief. But the party tried to sell the idea behind the Forum to the governor, who was not persuaded.

“When the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called him many times, he refused to pick his calls. The party saw this as disdain for its leadership.

“So, the NWC felt it should suspend Wamakko as part of its new policy to enforce discipline in its fold.”

Another source said: Wamakko was suspected to be one of the “rebel governors” who voted for Governor Rotimi Amaechi during the NGF poll.

“So, some forces in the Presidency are uncomfortable with Wamakko because of his “independent mindedness on issues,” said another source.

But an associate of Wamakko said: “Was Tukur phoning the right telephone lines? We are in an era where governors change lines because of fear of bugging by some agencies and mischievous elements.

“Those who are desperate for 2015 poll have been hijacking lines to measure loyalty. Since most governors have discovered this trend, they stay off their lines. I am sure Tukur might have been phoning wrong or dead lines.

“Assuming that Wamakko refused to pick Tukur’s calls, is there any provision in PDP’s constitution for such an offence?

A statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh yesterday said the decision to suspend the governor was reached after “very wide and exhaustive consultations”, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP and in the overriding interest of the party.

The statement said: “It is important to note that the reason for the suspension of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko predates the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s election.

“Sometime in early April, the leadership of the party was concerned with the statements and conduct of the governor whereupon the national chairman placed several calls to draw the attention of the Governor to the matters concerned.

“However, it was not possible for the national chairman to speak with the Governor despite several attempts. The national chairman thereafter vide a letter dated 12th April, 2013, requested an explanation to the NWC within seven days.

“Instead of replying the national chairman, Governor Wamakko directed the Sokoto State Secretary of the party, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto, to reply the national chairman.

“The state party secretary, in a letter dated April 14, 2013 and on the official letterhead of the Sokoto State Government House, replied the national chairman on behalf of the governor.

“This amounted to gross disrespect and act of insubordination to a national officer and a lawful organ of the party, which is in violation of Articles 58.1 (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP constitution, which prescribe sanctions for any member who (c ) ‘disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party’, (h) ‘engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party’ and (m) ‘fails, refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously’.

“Nevertheless, the NWC, vide a letter dated April 17, 2013, kindly requested His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to appear before it on the 8th of May, 2013 to clear the issues thereof.

“The NWC also wrote to the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto, requesting explanations for his actions as a state party officer, in replying the national chairman.

“Regrettably, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko never honoured the invitation and refused to respond in any way despite repeated invitations from the NWC, an action which is in clear violation of Article 58.1 (c), of the PDP constitution. In the same vein, the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, also refused to respond to the National Working Committee (NWC).

“Consequently, the NWC at its 336th meeting held on May 22, 2013 suspended the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto and communicated the decision to him in a letter dated May 22, 2013.

“The NWC thereafter extended yet another invitation to His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, in a letter dated May 23, 2013 in which it requested him to appear before it on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to clarify the issues.

“Unfortunately, in complete disregard to a lawful organ of the party, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, instead of appearing before the NWC, travelled out of the country on Tuesday June 5, 2013 without any form of response to the party.

“The NWC frowned at this act of gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and was, therefore, left with no other option than to invoke relevant articles of the PDP constitution in furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline at all levels within the party.

“We wish to state that the leadership of the party has immense respect for all elected and appointed political office holders and in the same vein, expects all political office holders to reciprocate by respecting the constitution and lawful organs of the party upon which platform they hold office.

“The NWC hereby restates that no individual or group within the party is, and must be seen to be above the constitution and lawful organs of the party. All party members are under the rule of the constitution of the party and must so abide”.