Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, in this interview with reporters in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, he spoke on the recent victory of his party at the tribunal and other issues. ISAH IBRAHIM was there. ExcerptsWERE you surprised that the Zamfara State governorship election petition tribunal upheld the election of Governor Abdul'aziz Yari'It was not unexpected. It is not often that we see anyone unseating an incumbent government and for that government to complain that it was rigged-out. I thought that the question of going to the tribunal was over when the former governor congratulated Abdul'aziz Yari. But unfortunately, they went to court. I was really expecting the decision taken by the tribunal.With the case out of the way now, what should the governor tell the people of the state'With the case out of the way, it is obvious that the government cannot claim any distraction. I expect the government to start fulfilling the campaign promises that the party made to the people. I expect the party supporters and the people of the state to continue to support the government. The government needs the support of the people in order to deliver services and promises for the development of the state.Why did some members of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state complain of marginalisation'It is unfortunate that people are not patient with the government. This is a government that inherited a debt of over N46 billion. Added to that is the just concluded court litigation. Of course it is not possible for the governor to be awarding contracts to please people. However, he has been able to fulfill one of the major promises he made. Today, a bag of fertiliser sells at N1000. Some roads like the Anka to Gummi, Kaura Namoda to Jibia and Wanke Danjibga are under construction. I believe that by the time the governor returns from hajj and settles down, they will start seeing dividends of democracy at their localities and other forms of welfare. We promised to empower women, youths, and improve the condition of workers, and the governor is ready to fulfill the promises. The government in the October salary commenced the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage for workers of the state on grade level 1-6.With the speculations between you and the former governor, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, how would you describe your relationship'As far as am concerned I have made it clear that there is no quarrel between Shinkafi and me. The only time we had problem was when Yari was nominated to stand in as deputy governor for Shinkafi. It was just a week to the end of nomination of candidates. The former governor came to my office with some people including Alhaji Ibrahim Mallaha, Alhaji Musa Zubairu and told me that he wants the deputy governor to be replaced. I told him it was not possible, and that as far as I was concerned the incumbent governor has been duly nominated with the support of the party members. He was angry. Just then yari entered the office and said, 'well, I am not going to run with him and if you insist, I am also stepping down. you can find another flag-bearer to contest.'Yari swore that he was not going to run as deputy governor with Shinkafi. Later, Shinkafi and his supporters made a u-turn sensing that as the incumbent governor I could decide to hand over to our opponent, Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim. He apologised. We already had a situation in our hands because Yari had also said that he was not going to run as deputy governor. To resolve the matter, somebody suggested that we should swap the ticket of the House of Representatives. And incidentally my uncle Alhaji Muktari Ahmed who was running for the House of Representatives ticket became deputy governor and Yari went to the House of Representatives. The perceived misunderstandings between us are political.Have you ever heard of the insinuations that you left government a very rich man'That cannot be true. It is not true. When I was leaving the Government House, I had N65 million in my account. And then my only problem was where to stay in Abuja, because I couldn't continue to be in the state lodge in Abuja. I contacted one senior citizen of the state, who has property in Abuja to help me look for a befitting accommodation. He and one of my aides finally got my present house. They told me that the owner of the property was asking for N300 million. I told them I had N65 million. But the owner was very pressed and he later asked for N250 million. I was convinced to buy the house at N250 million. The only option was to secure a bank loan. I approached a bank and they agreed to give me the loan on two conditions. One, they will pay the amount directly to the owner of the property and secondly, they keep the documents and use my N65 million as surety. If I failed to pay, they will auction the house and recover their money. I agreed. The negotiation was done in the presence of Shinkafi and some of his aides. He later said that the state government would intervene and pay the money in three months. Somebody in his team said he would ensure that the amount was paid in one month. But that was where the story of intervention ended. Neither the governor nor his aides intervene finally. But I was never disturbed. I trusted God to help pay for my house. So, if you take out the N65 million, it means I was left with nothing. That was how I left the government house.Is it rue that you never really wanted Shinkafi to succeed you'This is the same lie propagated by the same people who say we are fighting. The truth is that I was only interested in serving for one term. Shinkafi can testify to that. Sometime in 2002, I told myself that I would hand over to Shinkafi after my first term. I told him what I intended to do. He said that he was not ready to take over. When I persisted, he told me that the only way he would take over is if I win my re-election and later resign to pave way for him. I told him if I run as a governor I have to complete my term in office. My reason for not wanting to run for second term was because of Sharia. The Sharia issue had made me the centre of attraction. People saw Sharia in everything I did and whatever I did was interpreted differently.Later, Shinkafi convinced me to run for second term because if I decided otherwise, people will think that I was bought over. That was how it was settled. At a luncheon in 2003, after we won the election, I held up his hands and said to party elders, stalwarts and supporters that this is my Khalifah (successor). Party members were surprised by my action. They all eulogised me and promised to support me towards the realisation of the project. I kept to my promise, in spite of protests by some party members who later felt that I made a mistake by picking Shinkafi to succeed me. I stood my ground and threatened to deal with anybody bringing confusion in the party. History and posterity will judge me on this. I am happy that I am the only governor who handed over to his deputy in the history of this country.There were talks that you interfered in his government'Right from onset I made my position clear that I will never interfere in the running of his government. I will not send anybody with a note asking for a favour and I kept my promised. I let him remember that anything he wants to sign, Allah is watching him. I remember there was a time he said in an interview that I was interfering in his government that was the reason behind our misunderstanding. I denied the accusation later in a Hausa programme on Radio Nigeria Kaduna.You reportedly said that you were not paid any entitlements. What is the true position'When I left, I was not paid any entitlements as the law stipulates. The law says that I am entitled to a house, a permanent secretary, director, office accommodation and medical treatment. But all these were not given to me. I think the permanent secretary that was assigned to me, Alhaji Kabir Balarabe was asked to leave me and return to Gusau. I could also remember when I had to undergo an operation in a Saudi-German Hospital, I wrote to the governor (Shinkafi) as the law demands. But after waiting and nothing was forthcoming, I decided to travel to Saudi Arabia for the operation. It was when Shinkafi learnt that I was in Saudi that he came to the hospital and told my permanent secretary that he should collect all the hospital bills after our return as the state government will pay our expenses. But up till this time, nothing has been done. If an incumbent governor would do justice, it would assist greatly in tackling some of the issues faced by governors. It would also bring dignity to the office. I think the only thing he has not stopped is my monthly pension because he is equally enjoying it.What do you make of the speculations linking you with the office of the president in 2015'It is the wish of every politician to aspire to the highest office in the land. But then, one has to look around and see the realities on the ground whether his aspirations could be achieved. At the moment I want to categorically state that I don't have a presidential ambition. You can't expect a person who is a member of a party that has only three governors and some member of legislators to think of wrestling power form the ruling party. Nigeria is not like Ghana or Zambia where the opposition can stand up and win convincingly. Until strong opposition political parties like the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), ANPP, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) come together and form a common front with sincerity of purpose, the opposition will continue to trail.
Click here to read full news..
