Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, yesterday said that his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan was cordial. This is contrary to speculations that he might be shut out by the party ahead of the State primaries.
The Governor also said that President Jonathan has assured him that no aspirant has been endorsed to fight him in the State.
Reacting to a statement credited to Senator Abubakar Umar Gada that he, Wamakko was intimidated by his (Gada) joining the race, the Governor said that it was not worth commenting on.
Governor Wamakko said this yesterday when he stormed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to submit his expression of interest and nomination forms. The gubernatorial election in the State is scheduled for March 10, 2012. Commenting on? allegation by some members of the party that he was involved in anti party activities during the PDP primaries, the governor said that it was the handiwork of cheap blackmailers bent on getting power through the back door.
He said, “Mr? president is my very good friend and we were deputy governors together for six years before he became governor of Bayelsa State and I also became governor. Even last week, he called me and said all these things you are hearing is rubbish. I have not endorsed anybody in Sokoto to come and fight you.”
He noted that the votes by PDP in the State during the primaries were more than those of Zamfara and Kebbi? States put together.
“Look at the records and judge for yourself.? Sokoto? is the only State in Nigeria that is 100 percent PDP. It is the only State where there was no court case after the election because we believe in peace, transparency and good governance.
“I told you earlier that we have those weak politicians who believe in getting power through blackmail, intimidation and name dropping”. This was even as he said that? Minister of Sports joining? the? gubernatorial race would expand the democratic space.