Wamakko strips Shagari of Science & Technology portfolio

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has stripped his deputy Mukhtari Shagari of a cabinet responsibility.

Shagari had been overseeing the ministry of Science and Technology until a government statement yesterday assigned that responsibility to newly sworn in commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim A. Hussain.

Wamakko had since defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) but Shagari stayed back in the PDP.

The statement which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political, Alhaji Malami L. Ladan, also named Alhaji Tukur Alkali, a former strong ally of the former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Senior Special Assistant to Wamakko, as Commissioner for Religious Affairs.

Alkali took over from Professor Musa Garba Maitafsir, who is the chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Similarly two newly appointed Special Advisers were assigned portfolio. They are Harande Mahe, Security Matters and Musa Guru, Cooperatives and Finance.

However, Shagari’s the development has started generating public interest.

According to a Public Affairs Commentator, Malam Abubakar Umar: “The appointment, reassignment and the removal of commissioners are purely administrative function of the executive. “However, in this case it would appear that their months long posturing that they would work together irrespective of party difference is growing thinner as we move towards election

“Whatever amity that exists between the two as individual is gradually giving way to individual protection of group interest that they both represent,” he said.