HATS OFFTO AMINUTAMBUWAL

Ibraheem Yahaya pays tribute to the Sokoto State governor at age 54

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is 54 today, January 10. Undoubtedly he is one of the most outstanding cosmopolitan Nigerian leaders; a man of distinct character and quality whose contribution to the development of Sokoto State and Nigeria is well acknowledged. To him, and particularly his supporters, friends, families and associates, 54 is not ‘just a number’, but a “PIN” to his resolute competent leadership. His 54th birthday is worthy of celebration.

It’s an indisputable fact that the bashful man of few words has always remained on the side of the people and history since his sojourn into politics in 1999. The Tambuwal’s factor in Sokoto and Nigerian politics is still potent, and it is almost certainly because of his many positive traits which have endeared him to his people. While taking into cognisance of his contributions — and shortcomings — as a speaker of House of Representatives and a sitting governor, just as every leader, his scorecard is certainly impressive.

Aminu, as fondly called by his followers, is a symbol with a galaxy of landmarks that stand him out as a leader. His factor in Nigeria politics is very visible and dominant which has made him a force to reckon with. He is a leader that neither looks up to the rich nor down on the poor and too brave to be cowed and to be cheated. He is transparent, honest, God-fearing and humble.

Tambuwal is no ordinary politician; he is a master political strategist and tactician. He understood people and understood the game of politics. He is a man of wise counsel, and he imparted that counsel to his followers in a way that is always forthright, clear and compelling in its simplicity, its honesty and its logic. He has been at the center of Nigeria and Sokoto politics; scrutinized and analyzed by his adversaries for close to two decades and yet, he has not been found wanting. If heroism is to be measured by service and openness to the electorate, then Governor Tambuwal is fully qualified as a political strategist of the first order.

It is unquestionable fact that Sakwatawa’s did not make an erroneous choice electing him as their governor in the 2015 and 2019 general elections. He didn’t waste time to rejuvenate good governance immediately he assumed office in May 2015. Those four years of purposeful, visionary and accountable leadership have positioned the state as a force to reckon with in terms of economic growth and development in the country. Today, the positive impact of his administration is felt at every nooks and crannies of the state; the aggrieved are the few clusters that believe he did not give them access to corner the fortune of the masses for their personal and selfish interest.

Governor Tambuwal seems always to have been a creature of expectations -- his own and those that others have conferred upon him. Ever since his emergence as the Speaker of Federal House of Representatives in 2011, analysts, commentators and people have spoken of him in terms of what “could be” and, later, of what

IF HEROISM IS TO BE MEASURED BY SERVICE AND OPENNESS TO THE ELECTORATE, THEN GOVERNOR TAMBUWAL IS FULLY QUALIFIED AS A POLITICAL STRATEGIST OF THE FIRST ORDER

“might have been” due to his leadership qualities and charisma. In 2015, he attempted taking a shot as the nation’s top job, but destiny made him to lead the people of his state as their governor, an office he occupies up to date. But there is no doubt that the future holds great promise.

Mutawallen Sokoto didn’t lag behind his contemporaries going by the giant strides he made in last four years of purposeful leadership. His intellect is formidable, his values sound, his understanding of the state’s complex needs and opportunities unmatched. Sakwatawa’s are lucky to have him re-elected as their governor because his re-election will curb the growing power of pockets of special or quack interests, which so often conceal their self-serving agendas behind a facade of fist-in-the-air patriotism and unfulfilling promises.

The governor swiftly made good on his signature campaign pledges of emergency in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and youth empowerment. Despite meagre resources, his notable achievements include construction of International Conference Centre (ICC) Kasarawa, Sokoto; construction of Housing Estate at Kalambaina, Sokoto, ongoing constructions of abandoned three Zonal High Courts in Isa, Gwadabawa and Tambuwal, renovation and constructions of schools across the 23 LGA’s, renovations and equipping of hospitals in the 23 LGA’s, renovation and upgrade of High Court complex in Sokoto, construction of water schemes and completion of inherited water schemes in Asari, Gagi and Runjin Sambo, procurement of ambulances for emergency services in the 23 LGA’s, upgrading of and renovation of Sokoto Stadium to International Standard, constructions of township roads in Sokoto and others outside the state capital, purchase of irrigation pumping generators and distributed to farmers across the state and prompt payment of scholarship (local and foreign) for indigenes of the states. He is on a path to fulfilling a commitment to make education compulsory and free for all in Sokoto State at all level. The bumper harvest the state has been recording in last four years was part of his support to agricultural sector. His administration promised to complete the abandoned projects by his predecessor before the end of his tenure.

Governor Tambuwal is no slouch. He is a serious democrat and a visionary leader. The people of Sokoto State have proved to the world in the just concluded 2019 general election and the re-run in the state that they wouldn’t want to be operated on by a physician with only a few surgeries under his or her belt, and the assurance that this doctor brought a fresh perspective to anesthesia and incisions wouldn’t thrill them; and they also agree to choose a pilot who had flown 999 flights over one with nine flights.

A meditative gentleman by nature and a man of few words, he’s been meticulous, transparent, modest, focused, visionary, thorough and responsible to a fault. He has his family, humanity, community, state, religion and the country at heart of his existence. May Allah grant Mutawallen Sokoto many more peaceful years of sound health.