January 10 is a red letter day in the lives of thousands. Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, former Speaker, House of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto state who turns 54 was born. He is one of the most outstanding cosmopolitan Nigerian politicians and a 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, associates and well wishers, 54 is not ‘just a number’, but a PIN to his resolute competent leadership. His 54th birthday is therefore a profound anniversary worth celebrating.
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 factor in Sokoto’s and Nigerian politics is still potent; his many positive traits have endeared him to his people. Despite his contributions and shortcomings as speaker and incumbent governor, just as every leader, his scorecard is certainly impressive.
Aminu, as fondly called by his followers who comprise large spectrum of the populace, is a politician who has generated a high magnitude of attention and spotted commentaries. He is a symbol with a galaxy of landmarks that stand him out as a leader. In politics and leadership, he is already a living legend. His factor in Nigeria politics is very visible and dominant, making 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 very transparent, honest, God-fearing and humble.
Tambuwal is a master political strategist and tactician. He is a man of wise counsel, which he imparts to his followers. He has been at the center of Nigeria and Sokoto politics; scrutinised and analysed by his adversaries for close two decades yet, he keeps rising as a star leader. Mutawallen Sokoto has every reason to be grateful to his creator for what he has done for him and, for sparing his life to witness yet, another birthday.
Sakwatawa did not make an erroneous choice electing him as their governor in the 2015 and 2019 general election. His election didn’t take him time to rejuvenate good governance immediately he resumes office in May 2015. Last four years of his purposely, visionary and accountable leadership has positioned the state as a force to reckon with in the terms of economic growth and development in the country. Today, the positive impact of his administration is felt at every nook and cranny 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 selfish interest.
Tambuwal seems always to have been a creature of expectations – his own and those that others conferred on him. As speaker, House of Representatives in 2011, analysts have spoken of him in terms of what “could be” and, later, of what “might have been” due to his leadership qualities and charisma. In 2015, he attempted taking a shot at the nation’s top job, but destiny made him to lead the people of his state as governor, an office he occupies to date. Methinks he can go beyond a governor. Aspiring to be president in 2019 PDP presidential primary where he came second and given the ticket to re-contest for the governor in 2019 which he won in the first and second re-run elections, signifies his acceptance by his people.
Mutawallen Sokoto didn’t lag behind his contemporaries going by the giant stride he made in the last four years of purposeful leadership to the Sakwatawa. His intellect is formidable, values sound, his understanding of the state’s complex needs and opportunities unmatched. Sakwatawa should be lucky to have him re-elected as governor because it will curb the power of pockets of special or quack interests, which conceal their self-serving agenda behind a facade of fist-in-the-air patriotism and unfulfilling promises.
The governor swiftly made good on his pledges of emergency in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and youth empowerment. Despite paucity of funds part of which is channelled to debt servicing due to inherited liability, his notable achievements include construction of International Conference Centre (ICC) Kasarawa, Sokoto, Housing Estate at Kalambaina, Sokoto, construction of three Zonal High Courts in Isa, Gwadabawa and Tambuwal, renovation and construction of schools across the 23 LGAs, renovation and equipping of hospitals in the 23 LGAs, renovated and upgraded High Court complex in Sokoto, construction of Water Schemes in the 23 LGAs and completion of inherited water schemes in Asari, Gagi and Runjin Sambo, procurement of ambulances for emergency services in the 23 LGAs, renovation Sokoto Stadium to international standard, construction of township roads in Sokoto and others outside the state capital. Others are purchase of irrigation pumping generators distributed to farmers and prompt payment of scholarship (local and foreign) for indigenes of the state. He is on the path to fulfilling a commitment to make education compulsory and free for all in Sokoto state at all levels. The bumper harvest the state has been recording in last four years was part of his support to agriculture. His administration promised to complete the abandoned projects by his predecessor before the end of his tenure. The projects include: State Independent Power Project (IPP), Gidan Salanke Housing Estate, College of Agriculture Wurno and College of Legal Studies Wamakko. His laudable public-health policy is now a model to many states in Nigeria.
Governor Tambuwal is no slouch. He is first plausible, 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 9 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. May Allah grant Mutawallen Sokoto many more years of sound health.
Yahaya writes from Abuja via +2348036616767
