By Onuminya Ochowechi,Sokoto
The chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC ) Sokoto State Alhaji Isa Acida said those leaders of the party that defected on Sunday to the People Democratic party (PDP) have already dug their political grave.
In a press conference on Thursday at the party secretariat , Sokoto Acida noted that the defectors are PDP moles in the party saying the party has nothing to lose from their defection.
He explained that it has “become clear to all people of good conscience in Sokoto State and beyond that the reception organized to receive the so called APC decampees into the PDP on Sunday 26th of June 2022, has passed as a Non-event and a laughable affair.
He further disclosed that it is now obvious, that “a battle line has been drawn between the APC and the masses of Sokoto State on the one hand, and the selfish political merceneries and their pay masters on the other hand.
The APC chairman said the defectors are political wanderers that staged the show of shame last Sunday, danced naked in the market square, which only ended in inflicting incurable political injury on themselves and nailing their political coffins.
He maintained that they are happy to see the formal departure of PDP moles, whose assignment has failed and who in the end shamefully went home with their tails between their legs .
“We know all the defectors. They are people who have been rejected by their communities. They have no political value at State, Local Government or even at Ward levels he added.
He said the various speeches they made at the event, portrayed them as bad sportsmen, who should have no place in any democratic setting. “Politics is like sports, where there are always winners and losers. Unfortunately, these are selfish individuals, who are only interested in their personal comfort, rather than the welfare of the people they claim to represent.
It is instructive to note that non of the so called decampees gave any acceptable reason, that attracted them to the unfortunate PDP bandwagon.
“Non among them cited any tangible State Government projects or achievements in any sector of human endeavor, because there is non, rather they only engaged in political irrelevancies.
He stated that the defectors are ingrate who turned their backs on those that were instrumental to bringing them into political limelight. “Among them are people who became Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after being single handedly nominated by Senator Wamakko, there are also in the group, those who were single handedly sponsored into the State and National Assemblies, with many of them being returned for more than two terms all courtesy of Senator Wamakko .
He stressed that the familiar happenings have only further strengthened, rather than weakened Senator Wamakko who always resolve to render more help, whenever and wherever the need arises.
“We deem it as a political suicide for the defectors to have alligned themselves with the failed government of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a government that lacks accountability, government without focus, government that has impoverished Sokoto State through doubtful financial deals he lamented.
He challenged the State Government to explain to the people of the State, its reasons for abandoning the ongoing projects, such as the Illela Garage, More-Isa junction road and bridge, the Rijiya Dorowa overhead bridge, the Runjin-Sambo overhead bridge, as well as the State University Teaching Hospital and the Girls Secondary School in Kasarawa saying all these projects have been abandoned inspite of the several revaluations and cost increases, over and above the original contract sums.
“We challenge the Governor to explain why those projects have become conduit pipes, What are the original contract sums and what are the subsequent increases for each project
“We equally challenge the Governor to explain to the people of Sokoto State, reasons for the inability of his Government, to renovate the Sokoto Central Market, as well as the fate of shop owners who lost fortunes in the ill fated fire outbreak early last year.
He enjoined the Sokoto State Governor, to borrow a leaf from his colleague Governors of neighboring States, who have unfailingly paid the retirement benefits of civil servants in their States.
” It is disheartening to note that retired civil servants in Sokoto State are being owed gratuities since 2016, without any concrete plan of settling them, inspite of several broken promises.
“We in the Sokoto State APC, wish to state categorically, that we reject the outright sale of the State Civil Service Club premises along Ali Akilu Road, because this is the only recreational facility available to civil servants in the State.
” We Equally reject the outright sale of the Buzaye mechanics village, along J. Allen Avenue, Sokoto and will take every available legal means to make sure that the mechanics are not ejected from where they earn their legitimate means of living, this is because, we believe the sale of this mechanic village, will add to unemployment and further compound the security situation in the State.
It has been recalled that on Sunday three APC governorship aspirants and house of representative member with 30000 supporters defected to PDP in Sokoto State.