Anthony Iwuoma
The former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Dalhatu Bafarawa, has said his recent visit to another former governor of the state and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has nothing to do with his purported plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Restating his commitment to his party the PDP, Bafarawa explained: “My visit to the former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has nothing to do with the issue of politics or anything about his party and change of political platform.
“I remain loyal to my government under Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and committed to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and have nothing to do with APC or its activities.”
Describing those spreading the news of his planner defection to APC as mischief-makers, the former governor explained said his visit to Wamakko was to condole with the APC leader over the recent loss of his brother.
“Those publishing stories or lies about the condolence visit are nothing but mischief makers seeking cheap attention for their news outfits.
“It is not the first time that I am visiting to condole the Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko during such trying times.
“I was at Wamakko town for the condolence of his brother, late Baraden Wamakko, even when he lost his daughter, though I was away from the country, I sent a delegation of some aides to visit and condole him at his Gawon Nama residence.”
Angered by innuendos associated with the visit, Bafarawa state: “Some journalists are becoming so desperate to write or publish lies in order to get news attention, just like what a man from a popular news medium in Sokoto mischievously did to me.
“I remain loyal to my party, my governor Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and will do everything for the success of his tenure and that of anyone my party-endorsed in near future.”
The former governor also stated that though he differed with Wamakko politically, “Our political differences, no matter how it goes, can’t affect mutual relationship and sympathy for each other, especially when one is faced with such challenges.
“He also personally visited me at Bafarawa to condole me when I lost my father, late Sarkin Gabas of Bafarawa, likewise, he does call me whenever such kind of things happen to my family or any of my relations.”
