By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami SAN, on Sunday, endorsed Mainasara Sani as the duly recognized Sokoto State chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Malami, who made the affirmation in the house of Rt Hon Balarabe Salame while flagging off continuation of the lawmaker's constituency projects, added that there was no faction in the State APC. "Mainasara Sani is the duly recognized party chairman of Sokoto State" Malami enthused.
Hon Salame is yet again distributing 50 Tricycles, 167 Bajaj motorcycles, 329 sewing machines and a two million naira assistance to the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association (SEZDA) for onward delivery to those displaced from that axis because of banditry.
Though, there is an ongoing legal tussle over who is the legitimate party chairman of APC in Sokoto, as three factions are laying claims to the party structure. The three factions include that of the former governor of the State and Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, that of Senator Abukakar Umar Gada and those of Rt Hon Balarabe Salame with each faction claiming legitimacy.
However, with the pronouncement from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, the faction of Senator Abubakar Umar Gada seems to have taken the upper hand, as Mainasara who he publicly endorsed, is from Gada's camp.
Speaking further, Malami, disclosed that no fewer than 2000 persons in Sokoto will benefit from the Federal Government Covid-19 assistance. He equally appealed to other politicians to emulate Hon Balarabe Salame for his consistent gesture to his constituents and the state at large.
"I am proud to state that honourable Abubakar Salame is a very unique politician that have the people's interest at heart at all times", Malami said.
However, former governor of Kano State and Senator, Ibrahim Shakarau who also graced the occasion, appealed to Nigerians to ensure politics of unity.
Preaching the message of unity to his party members, Shekarau pointed out that this has become necessary more so that 2023 general election is by the corner. He stated that it was important for all and sundry to know that all political parties have same biological father, hence, "no need to fight each other over party differences".
Shekarau said, "Salame is able to bring all the political bigwigs in Sokoto together from across party divide becasue of his transparency. Let us try to learn two important factors about whatever party you belong. We must not do anything that will cause chaos in the party.
"Do not be disturbed that somebody said he is not following you politically. Let us learn how to know that there is always individual differences. After all, no elected politician in Nigeria is following their manifesto".
He further appealed to all beneficiaries of Hon. Salame's Constituency Project gesture to make judicious use of it and not to sell them as this has become a tradition in the north.
On his part, the State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP) represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Saidu Umar, thanked the lawmaker for his determined effort to make positive impacts in the lives of his people.
Other dignitaries who graced the event include: Senator Abubakar Gada, the Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aminu Muhammad Achida (APC), the new state party chairman, Hon Mainasara Sani and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar 111 who was represented by Alhaji Kabiru Usman, the Sarkin Yakin Binji and other party faithfuls. NNL.
