Governor Tambuwal Promises To Bring Government Closer To The People Of Sokoto State

Aminu Tambuwal, ex-Speaker of the House of Represenatives who was recently elected governor of Sokoto state, speaks on his days in the legislature and plans he has for Sokoto.

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state

In an interview with Vanguard, Governor Tambuwal spoke on his plans for the seat of the former Sokoto Caliphate.

“What we have here in Sokoto is not a complete ‘change,’ as we have at the centre and some other states. It is a continuity in ‘change’.

“The administration here, which just came to an end, was headed by Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, who is a very strong member of the APC and, therefore, the APC is in government in Sokoto state, and we intend to, first and foremost, continue with the projects of the administration and, of course, initiate new ones that will better the lives of the people.

“Fundamentally, we are going to focus on education, agriculture, healthcare delivery services, empowerment of our youths and women, and also, we are going to pay special attention to the infrastructural development of the state.

“This is not to say that we are not going to pay attention to mining because we all know what we are facing in this country, and we need all hands on deck to ensure that we improve our revenue bases and we have identified mining as one key sector that if we invest and harness properly, Sokoto State and indeed the nation will benefit from the enormous mineral deposits.

“We are also going to introduce policies that cater for women. I have in mind the issue of a microfinance bank, which will be called ‘Bankin Mata’ [Women Bank]. We intend to use it as a medium to empower our women to the generality of all our citizens.”

Governor Tambuwal also touched upon the issues that marred his professional relationship with the executive arm during his days as the Speaker of the House of Represenatives.

“Well, I am starting my tenure as governor by extending olive branch, a hand of friendship and fellowship to the legislature in the state for us to work as a team. What matters is the trust and confidence-building between the two arms of government and respectability.

“If they have that position, and we have our position from the executive side, what we need is for us to sit down, agree and harmonise the positions and have synergy. I think that was what was lacking definitely when I was the Speaker of the House of Representatives between us and the executive arm of government led by former President Jonathan.

“We shall engage ourselves. We must not allow friction between the legislature and executive arms of government here in Sokoto. I will ensure that every lawmaker in the state sees our government hand of fellowship.”

Governor Tambuwal had this to say when asked what he would miss the most after leaving his position in the House of Reps:

“Definitely, I will miss the chambers, I will miss my colleagues. What you have in the National Assembly and indeed the legislature is a relationship of equals where the expectation is different, the arrangement is different. The president, governor or chairman as it were, is the chief executive, and you dish out instructions. But, in the legislature, you must court friendship, you must carry along your colleagues in whatever you intend to achieve. You must also respect your colleagues, making them realise at all times that you are just ‘the first among equals’.”

Tambuwal also spoke on how he intends to maintain a good relationship with the people of Sokoto state.

“As a government, for us to sustain the goodwill of the people, we must engage them, we must interact with them, we must carry them along. and we must be open and transparent in conducting business of governance. What is required of us by the constitution is to encourage participatory democracy and, once you are open and accessible as a leader, I believe the followers will always appreciate and understand your own position.”

Finally, Governor Tambuwal had this to say on how he would ensure unity among the residents of the state despite possible political challenges:

“In my inaugural speech, I appealed to those who ran for the office of governor at primary level or secondary election to join hands with us to continue building the state. It is not the estate of an individual. The state is for all of us, and I believe that appeal to them will go a long way in ensuring that we win back their friendship; and I intend to go the extra mile to engage them.

“I can assure those who voted for me that I will give governance human face the way my predecessor did, and ensure government is closer to the people.”

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