BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Contrary to reports in the media that 252 Special Advisers and Special Assistants appointed by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state resigned their appointments, the aides were actually sacked by the governor before his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In one of the reports, a former aide, Alhaji Ibrahim Haske, who claimed to be ‘spokesman for all the aides,’ announced at a news conference in Sokoto on Sunday that the former appointees returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), instead of working under a PDP government.
However, a statement from Governor Tambuwal on Sunday night, described the so-called press conference and the claims by Alhaji Haske, as not only false but as symbolic of the brinkmanship that the political APC has come to be known for.
The statement explained; “To set the records straight, the over 200 aides were relieved of their appointment by Governor Tambuwal, who had directed the termination of the appointments of all special assistants.
It was a move to afford political appointees the chance to make an honorable choice of their partisan directions and allegiances, considering the political developments in the state.
“It must also be noted that the sack affected only Personal and Special Assistants, not Advisers, as has been erroneously insinuated.
“Ever since the publication of the false news in sections of the media, some of the prominent former aides of Governor Tambuwal, have come out to state the facts as they really are.”
But in a statement issue on Sunday evening that was jointly signed by Hon Umar Bature (former Special Adviser), Mustafa Shehu (former SSA media), Maiakwai Abubakar (former SSA), Dr Aliyu Inname (former SA Contributory Health Scheme) and, Hon Bashir Gidado (former SA PPP) on behalf of 200 others corroborated the position of Tambuwal that the aides were sacked.
The statement reads; “We write to inform the public that contrary to a statement credited to us that we resigned from the services of the Sokoto State government, all appointees were actually relieved of their appointments by His Excellency Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in his effort to reinvigorate government operations and services.
“The decision was officially communicated by the Director General, Media & Public Affairs to the Governor Malam Abu Shekara.
“We have accepted the decision in good faith and expressed our sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency for giving us the opportunity to serve our dear state in different capacities.
“While we look forward to future opportunities to serve the state on similar or other capacities, we wish to place on record that we are solidly behind the decision of His Excellency, Gov Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, and all of us to join the PDP as the only viable political vehicle to achieve the goals of the people of Sokoto State.”
“It must also be explained that through the week, a number of SAs, engaged actively in the APC and loyal to Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko had reported to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG’s) office to claim their salaries. It is in the light of this dishonorable conduct that Governor Tambuwal sought to offer them a chance to make an honorable exit.
The declaration of resignation by the SAs is therefore, an unfortunate afterthought and an attempt to grandstand.”
