Group Tackles Wike Over Attack On Lamido

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The proxy war between the former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has taken a dramatic turn as a pro-Lamido group on Thursday, accused the FCT minister of masterminding smear campaign against Lamido.

The development was a reaction to a statement credited to a group called Northern Youths Movement, (NYM), allegedly linked to Wike, which in a statement on Sunday berated Lamido for referring to Wike as ‘a small boy ‘ in the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

Recall that NYM in a statement by its Chairman Ishaya Jato advised the former Jigawa helmsman to stop disgracing the north by constantly dancing naked in the marketplace, noting that being elderly is not a licence for disparaging others.

But the pro-Lamido group which described itself as PDP Concerned Members Jigawa chapter described the NYM’s position as acting the script of Wike to destroy the credibility of Lamido.

In a statement, the group’s Chairman, Muhammad Mago said, “We feel duty bound to set the records straight and present the mischievous report as the antics of writer’s figment of imagination.

According to him, “To say the least, this report misrepresents facts. It is so outrageous and clearly mischievous. It clearly aimed at portraying Lamido, a revered political figure in bad light, with the hope of tarnishing his hard earned reputation in politics while destroying the image he built in over five decades of his active politics.

“We strongly suspect the underhand of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who seems to be desperately working to cause political crisis within the ranks of PDP, the party that brought him to limelight but is now working tooth and nail to bring it down.

‘In an apparent demonstration of Wike’s “draconian politics” and his antecedents as a “mole in PDP”, it appears the writers approach was to divert public attention from his misdeeds against the party.

“A cursory look at Wike’s antecedents in politics, would reveal a man that has abandoned his political party, the PDP. This is a man that has betrayed the party’s presidential candidate just for his selfish interest and had worked against the party’s success during the Presidential election.

“He is currently fighting Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor and his successor, in order to run him down, just because he has resisted undue control.

“Without any conscience, Wike is proudly working for APC. He accepted ministerial position under APC administration, apparently to destroy the PDP and promote conflict in the party that made him.

“In contrast to Wike’s antecedents and by every standards Lamido is not his match politically. He (Lamido) is ahead of Wike and will never envy him.”

He went further “Since1999, Lamido had held many importantL positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Olusegun Obasanjo. This is long before Wike accepted Ministerial position in settlement for his role at fighting PDP.

“Lamido had also served Jigawa State as an executive governor before Wike’s emergence as governor of Rivers State. That’s why Lamido will never come down to join issues with Wike, as he has always been ahead of him and does not and will never envy him.

“By all standards and contrary to what the mercenary writers are trying to portray, Lamido is a true nationalist, a political icon and never a rebel in PDP.

‘He is among its founding members, who always stand firm for the party’s success like a rock.
In the history of PDP, while Wike has the reputation of working against the party to bring it down, it is evident that Lamido has being a very consistent stakeholder who has never left the party even once, neither did he ever work against it or worked for the success of another party.”

” In 1999, Lamido was among those who were instrumental to the emergence of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He equally played crucial role in resolving the political logjam in the emergence of President Jonathan after the demise of President Umar Musa ‘Yar’Adua. On record, he supported the two administrations and worked in the best interest of the country.

“This is how the goals of Lamido and Wike in politics deferred. While Lamido is very consistent in politics and is working for the people through the platform of his political party to make life meaningful for the people, it is so glaring that
Wike is working to satisfy his crass ambition using every means available, even if it means destroying his party in order to achieve his selfish desire.

“The fact that Lamido was and is still a national figure with impeccable patriotic record, and a very consistent figure in PDP, and a leader by every international standards cannot make him to come down so low and join issues with Wike on their roles in national politics.

“Another laughable issue raised by these mercenary writers, is the insinuation that Lamido had presented his son Mustapha as candidate of PDP in the last governorship election.

“But let it be clear that, Mustapha as a citizen of this country, and an indigene of Jigawa has the constitutional right to vie for any political office in his state or in the country. He is mentally sound, well educated and is not a mischievous person. He is competent by all standards and is politically savvy who enjoys tremendous respect from his people.

“Much as he can handle any political office at the state or national level, yet, he didn’t rely on the influence of his father to ride to the top but rather campaigned vigorously across the state and sought for recognition from party’s stakeholders.

“He had to pass through the rigours of the party’s nomination process as outlined by the party, before securing the party’s ticket to contest for the post.

“In politics, while influence is essential to success, yet Dr. Mustapha had to present himself to the party’s stakeholders, built strong trust with them, enhanced his credibility and developed a good rapport with party members, as well as sell his candidacy before securing the party’s nomination. These are the factors that gave him the ticket, not his father’s influence.

“Like what happened historically in the United States of America, when George Bush Senior served the country as President, and his son Bush Jnr. later contested. As he contested because of competence, so also Dr. Mustapha presented himself and contested since in democracy there is nothing wrong in doing that.

“On matters of politics, Lamido has always place national interest above his personal interest. He isn’t a hypocrite, neither a draconian politician, nor a bully that chose personal ambition to run down his subordinates or his political allies.

“The radical posture in him always make him to bluntly respond to issues of national interest so as to help the party forge ahead as a formidable group.

“In any way, no matter how the enemies of peace are trying to pitch Dr. Lamido against either President Obasanjo or Jonathan, or Vice President Atiku or any other political leader in the country, the fact is very clear, Lamido is known for his radical comments and is never a hypocrite.

“Those who are conversant with him knows that his comments are always in the best of national interest and were never aimed at disparaging or to malign any political leader.”