There are indications that elements within the People's Democratic Party are plotting to stop Governor Aliyu Wamakko from securing the party's ticket for the March governorship election in Sokoto State, much like the way his Bayelsa counterpart Timipre Sylva was blocked.Daily Trust learnt that the entrance of Minister of Sports Yusuf Suleiman into the race for the party's governorship ticket yesterday was hatched by presidential foot soldiers, so as to get at Wamakko who is standing for a second term.The PDP governorship primary election is scheduled for December 7, while the main election is to hold on March 10, 2012.PDP last month disqualified Sylva from the Bayelsa gubernatorial primaries reportedly because of differences between him and President Jonathan.Wamakko is now said to be next on the PDP chopping board, because of what sources said were his three 'sins' in the eyes of the president and his men. First, the presidency and the national headquarters of the PDP viewed President Goodluck Jonathan's loss of Sokoto State during the presidential primaries of the party in January as having being instigated by the governor. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar won majority of the Sokoto delegates' votes with a wide margin during the presidential primaries.Second, the party is said to be angry with Wamakko that despite entreaties from the presidency, he refused to allow Senator Gada to secure the PDP ticket for the April Senatorial election.Wamakko's third 'sin' is his alleged backing of Aminu Tambuwal's bid to be Speaker of the House of Representatives in June contrary to the PDP's directive that the position of Speaker should go to the South West.Senior politicians told Daily Trust yesterday that because of these three 'sins', the president and his men are plotting to stop Wamakko.Already, there is a petition before the PDP national leadership praying that the party should not field the governor for the March election. But leader of the petitioners, Ahmed Faruk Gusau, has already been suspended from the party by the Northwest zonal executive.Until yesterday's entrance of Suleiman into the race, Senator Abubakar Gada, who has already picked forms for the primaries, was considered the candidate of the presidency for the Sokoto PDP gubernatorial ticket. But sources told Daily Trust yesterday that Suleiman's entrance into the race is a 'game changer.'Yesterday, the Sports minister went to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, accompanied by a large contingent of supporters, to pick the nomination forms for the primaries. His entrance has brought the number of aspirants to the governorship contest to three.Daily Trust learnt that Wamakko is due to submit his forms at the PDP secretariat today and has been in Abuja since yesterday also planning to bring along a large contingent of supporters to the PDP office.Fielding questions from reporters after obtaining his forms, Suleiman yesterday said his aspiration was borne out of the desire to make Sokoto State a model state and reconcile the people of the state.When asked to comment on what exactly he wanted to correct in Sokoto State, the minister said: 'Sokoto State needs development and I think any good thinking person from Sokoto that has the capacity no matter how small needs to join hands to make sure that we realise the potentials that we believe our state has.'Sokoto can be one of the best states if properly guided, if properly managed and I know of my competences and I know of my skills and I know of what I can bring and am sure that with the support of Allah we can make Sokoto a model state.'On why it took him so much time before deciding to join the race, Suleiman said: 'I'm still a serving cabinet member of this administration and to take such a step requires not only my personal judgement and conviction but everybody that is involved in this process.'We are here because we believe we can heal and reconcile the good people of Sokoto State. We are here because we believe that our participation in this race will be for the good and in the best interest of the people of Sokoto State.'Asked whether he had told President Jonathan of his aspiration, he said: 'This is a political decision and now that I have picked the forms, I can consult widely within and outside the party. I will first of all consult with the people of Sokoto State that I have aspired to go and provide the leadership that they require. Then I can consult with the national leadership. My President is my boss, so I will not discuss him here.'Suleiman was asked to say in specific terms things that Wamakko did not do, and he responded: 'I'm not here to discuss Governor Wamakko.'A chieftain of the party from Sokoto State, Alhaji Abbas Musa Gidan Madi, who issued a statement on behalf of the pro-Suleiman group tagged Voice of Reason, said Wamakko has lost focus and ideas to move the state forward.'After careful analysis of the realities of Sokoto State politics and the prospects of PDP leaders in the state, we believe that Yusuf Suleiman, the current Minister of Sports, is the best and most acceptable candidate. He not only enjoys the confidence of the party membership in Sokoto State, but also has what it takes to provide strong and purposeful leadership,' the statement said.Among Suleiman's supporters who thronged the PDP secretariat were Senator Ladan Abdullahi Shuni, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Falke Tambuwal, Alhaji Bello Dange and members of the House of Representatives and party chieftains from the state.All the gubernatorial aspirants are expected to submit their nomination forms by tomorrow, according to the time-table approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
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