The political climate in Sokoto State has become fraught with confusion and tension among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to a recent initiative by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Wike’s move to distribute palliatives to party members has sparked concerns and accusations of ulterior motives, particularly in light of the existing rivalry between him and Aminu Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto and a key leader within the PDP.
The animosity between Wike and Tambuwal dates back to the 2022 PDP presidential primaries, where Tambuwal’s strategic withdrawal in support of Atiku Abubakar created a rift within the party.
Wike, a prominent contender, felt betrayed by Tambuwal’s decision, leading to a fallout that has since shaped their relationship. This tension has become a focal point in the current political atmosphere, with Wike’s palliative scheme viewed through the lens of this rivalry.
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Recently, the Advocacy Forum for Good Candidate, a support group within the PDP, revealed Wike’s plan to distribute palliatives in Sokoto.
During a gathering of party supporters, the group’s chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Amadi, described the initiative as a means to enhance party cohesion and engage members in productive activities.
Amadi, who is popularly called ‘Oil & Gas’ in Sokoto, emphasised that the scheme aimed to prevent defections, following the party’s loss in the 2023 governorship election.
“Since the party lost the Sokoto governorship election in 2023, some party bigwigs have not been supporting members, especially at the grassroots,” Amadi stated.
He assured that the initiative was intended to help the party’s supporters, adding, “This initiative was introduced in order to help our people.”
In a chat with Weekend Trust, Amadi explained that “during our last meeting with the FCT minister, it was resolved that after we formed the state leadership of the group we should come back for another meeting on the next line of action to be taken. Now that we have a leadership, we will go back to the minister to continue with our discussion after which we will return to Sokoto to form leadership in all the 23 local governments of the state.
“The minister is committed to this project and is ready to release the palliative for distribution to our people. His intention is to help party members. I have confidence in him and that is why I am also committed to the project.”
Amadi explained that there was nothing wrong if the minister as a party stakeholder decides to assist PDP members not only in Sokoto, but in any state because that signifies his commitment towards making the party stronger.
“I have said it on several occasions that this project is not meant to create any faction within the PDP, rather to further unite the party. So, I am appealing to PDP followers to accept this scheme in good faith as there is nothing like hidden agenda attached to it as suspected by some members.
“For those who are doubting my membership, I think it will be good if they can ask the PDP state chairman about my status. I believe the chairman is in the best position to clarify this issue,” he said.
Despite these assurances, apprehension among party members is palpable. Many view Wike’s initiative with suspicion, fearing it might exacerbate existing fractures within the party. The sentiment is fueled by a belief that this move is less about support and more about undermining Tambuwal’s influence in his home state.
Some loyalists of Tambuwal simply tagged the initiative as a Greek gift. This term refers to a gift that is perceived as having hidden motives or aimed at causing harm.
Many in Sokoto’s PDP view the palliative as a deceptive tactic by Wike, potentially intended to fracture the party further. The fear is that this initiative could deepen the divides between factions aligned with Tambuwal and those seeking to bolster Wike’s influence in the state.
Mixed reactions within the PDP
Generally, the responses to Wike’s palliative have been mixed within the Sokoto PDP.
The state party chairman, Alhaji Bello Aliyu Goronyo, in a chat with Weekend Trust expressed uncertainty regarding the scheme, emphasising that politicians often have their own strategies to achieve their goals.
“I cannot rule out such a move,” Goronyo stated, “but all I can say for now, only time can tell whether the FCT minister has sent a palliative to PDP members or not.”
Former members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly also voiced their doubts. Hon. Abdullahi Mai Gwandu said, “Sincerely speaking, I only heard about the Wike’s palliative over the BBC. And I swear to God Almighty, all the people that spoke at the occasion where the news about the palliative broke, I don’t know them as members of the PDP in Sokoto.”
Another former state lawmaker, Hon. Abubakar Chika Sokoto, echoed this skepticism, stating, “We don’t have anything like that but you know in politics, you cannot rule out such things.”
Efforts to get comments from the faction loyal to Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, another former governor of the state, proved unsuccessful.
Political analysts weigh in
Political analysts in Sokoto are also interpreting Wike’s actions as a calculated attempt to destabilise the PDP in Tambuwal’s stronghold.
Comrade Yahaya Ibrahim, a local political pundit, suggests that Wike’s palliative distribution is an effort to avenge his perceived betrayal by Tambuwal during the primaries.
“Wike is still not happy with Tambuwal because of what transpired between them at the PDP national convention in 2022,” he noted. “It appears as though Wike is looking for a way to avenge what Tambuwal did to him.”
“I am sure the man is trying hard to create more trouble for Tambuwal at home. The thing is that with the recent move, PDP will have more factions in the state because it already had two; the Tambuwal and Bafarawa’s groups. Therefore, with the recent development, there is every tendency for another faction to emerge within the party. Only time will tell,” he added.
This perception of vengeance is echoed by other analysts, who believe Wike’s initiative could lead to further factionalism within the already divided party.
Ishaq Auwal, another political analyst, raised the possibility that Wike might have been influenced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the PDP’s presence in Sokoto.
“Who knows, as a serving minister, Wike might have been influenced by either the APC national leadership or a prominent APC leader in Sokoto to come up with the idea of the palliative in order to weaken the PDP in Sokoto,” he said.
‘Nothing wrong with the idea’
Despite the skepticism, Amadi insists that the palliative is an altruistic gesture and not a strategic move to undermine Tambuwal’s leadership.
“I have confidence in him (Wike) and that is why I am also committed to the project.
“There is nothing wrong if the minister as a party stakeholder decides to help PDP members not only in Sokoto but in any state,” Amadi argued, insisting on the positive intentions behind the initiative.
However, the prevailing sentiment among many members remains one of distrust, fearing that Wike’s palliative may be more harmful than helpful in the long run.
Observers have suggested that the fallout from Wike’s initiative could have significant implications for the PDP in Sokoto. The potential for increased factionalisation raises concerns about the party’s unity and effectiveness in future elections. They noted that the existing divisions, particularly between Tambuwal’s supporters and Wike’s faction, could hinder the PDP’s ability to present a united front, ultimately weakening its political standing in the state.
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