February 27, (THEWILL) – A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Water Resources, Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, speaks with TUNDE OMOLEHIN, about his support for the presidential ambition of Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, his allegiance to the PDP and other issues of national interest. Excerpts:
You are one of the PDP stakeholders in Sokoto State who advised Governor Aminu Tambuwal to declare his ambition to run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. What informed your decision?
Yes, let me begin with these facts: As a Nigerian citizen, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is very qualified to aspire to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitution permits him or any other Nigerian to seek any political office in the country. The stakeholders in Sokoto State have looked at the political situation and they know fully well that Tambuwal has the capability to reposition the country.
Tambuwal’s past distinguished records as Speaker of the House of Representatives, his achievements in Sokoto State, his ability to make friends across the country, his belief in the unity of the country and the fact that Nigeria must be given a better leader, were what informed our decision. All these encouraged the stakeholders to say to him: “We believe you have what it takes to be the president of this country.” That is why we told him that he has our support and we encouraged him to consult with other like minds across the country and seek their support and blessings.
Before taking the decision, did you take into consideration the agitation for zoning, especially from the Southern stakeholders?
I actually don’t know about any written agreement on zoning of the presidency. What I know is that the constitution of the country has given every Nigerian the right to aspire to be the President of this country.
If we are talking of rotational presidency, it is an arrangement to be made by the political parties. So far, the PDP has not come out to say we have zoned the presidency to any part of this country. When we get to that bridge, we shall cross it. At the moment, we don’t know where our candidate will come from. Whether he is going to be a Hausa, Igbo, Fulani or Yoruba man, whichever tribe or religious group he belongs to, he has the right to become President of this country. What is important is competence. What is important is love for this country and believing in one, united and strong Nigeria. For now, we want someone from any part of this country that is confident enough and is capable of solving the problems afflicting this country.
Since 1999, the PDP has produced presidential candidates based on their geo-political backgrounds. Talking about competence now, aren’t you changing the goal post to suit your candidate?
Let us look at it this way: If someone lacks the competence to lead Nigeria, would you make such a person president? Is it the kind of country you want or are you saying that credibility, personality, unity of this country are not important in the present Nigeria? Are you also saying that no matter the candidate’s level of competence, as long as he comes from a certain part of the country, he must be made President? That is not my wish for the country.
Do you believe the South also has competent people that can vie for the Presidency?
Sure. There are many of them. Nigerians have the right to choose the president they want. It doesn’t matter where the party is going to zone the presidency or not. If the party zones the presidency to the South, I believe there are people in the southern states who will not vote for a southern president. Likewise, if it is zoned to the North, there will be people who will not vote for a northern president. I think it is high time we talked about competence, integrity and the unity of this country, as well as those who will bring us together.
Alongside Governor Tambuwal, you have toured the North-West states on consultation. What are the responses of the people you have visited so far?
The crowd has been massive so far. We went to Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kastina States. There have been positive reactions from the people in these states.
As a former deputy governor of Sokoto State, what are your aspirations ahead of the 2023 general election?
First, Tambuwal is still the governor of Sokoto State. I wish that after he completes his tenure, another competent person from our party will take over from him and continue the good work he is doing for the people of the state. As for me, there was speculation and much talk on radio and social media platforms. People are saying a lot of things in the media, regarding my political aspirations. But when the time is right, I will make a decision on what to do.
Can we assume that you are also doing consultations?
I am not doing consultations yet, but I have listened to people calling on me to come out and contest. I have heard so many radio programmes. I have also seen a lot of things on social media. My photographs are all over the place because people believe that I can move this state forward by continuing from where Governor Tambuwal might have stopped. Nevertheless, I am saying that when the time comes, we shall all see what will happen.
You are a former Attorney General, former Minister and former Deputy governor. Could this be the reason why people are calling on you to be the governor of the state?
Yes. As a former Attorney-General of Sokoto State, former deputy governor and a former President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water, I have been listening to people calling me to come out and contest. I have also been listening to the radio where people are calling for my capabilities. So, when the time comes, you will hear from me.
What is your relationship with Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who you served as deputy governor for eight years? I am aware that he left your party and declined your ambition to succeed him in the 2015 governorship election.
I became Aliyu Wamakko’s friend when I was contesting for governor of this state and we are still friends and brothers. As at the time I accepted to run a joint ticket with him, I knew I was running along with a friend. We are still friends. We talk to each other regularly. We still share jokes as we used to do. We call each other and if anything, good or bad, we stand by each other. So, my relationship with him is completely different from a political relationship. I have never ever said anything bad about him and he has never ever said anything bad about me. In fact, we don’t even allow people to say bad things about any of us. Our relationship is still wonderful. We are not only friends, but also very close ones. Political relationships are different from personal relationships and we have been together without any problem.
You are one of the founding fathers of the PDP and you have remained in the party till now. Tell us what has kept you in the party since 1999?
First of all, the PDP is a party that was put together by the most respected people in Nigeria. It is a party that was built on national unity, on the progress of this country, respect for each other and the rule of law. I became attracted to the party because I believe in its ideology. I have absolute confidence in the people who put PDP together. These are people who believe in the unity of Nigeria. PDP has one advantage, in government it has done what any political party has never done in the history of Nigeria, in terms of infrastructure, unity of the people and delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.
As for me, I believe in the unity of this country and I can serve the people of the country without allowing my personal interest to becloud my mission. I was given the opportunity to serve as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria twice. My landmark projects both at the rural levels and at the urban levels with construction of dams to provide water for the people are there. I think I did wonderfully well to the extent that the then President Olusegun Obasanjo gave me special recognition for my service to this nation.
After that, I contested for the governorship position in Sokoto State. I won the primary but by divine intervention of the party leaders, Wamakko came on board and I handed over the mandate to him on the request of my party stakeholders and leaders. We both served Sokoto State for eight years. Our landmark achievements are there for everyone to take a look at.
I also served Sokoto State as deputy governor for eight years under the PDP. I believe in the politics of principle, politics of integrity and also politics of doing what you promise to do. The PDP has given me every opportunity that anyone would wish to have as a politician. So, why will I leave such a party? I don’t believe in any party’s ideology except that of the PDP. For me, I am a founding member of the PDP and will remain a member of the party, no matter what happens or whatever the situation may be. I believe that very soon in this country, the PDP will come back to power and continue the good work we were truncated from doing in 2015. Nigerians have now seen the difference and it is up to them to decide in 2023. I am a member of the PDP and I believe in it wholeheartedly.
Whoever will be the next President will have insecurity as a major issue to tackle. What is your advice on this?
Well, I think the question should go to the All Progressives Congress and its government, not me. Remember they told Nigerians that the PDP could not provide security and they should be voted in so that within a short period of time, they will stop insecurity. Where are we today? How do I manage? I believe you should rather ask them, but when we get back to power, I can assure you that we will do whatever we need to do without lying to Nigeria and make sure that this country is secure so that it can move forward.
About the Author
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
