In this brief interview, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, said he is being financially persecuted by Zamfara State government since he declared his intention to contest for the governorship of the state.
Your Excellency, you are the deputy governor of Zamfara State, and being the number two citizen, many people are wondering why the speaker of the state House of Assembly was appointed acting governor by Governor Abdulaziz Yari.
Well, on the issue of the appointment of the speaker as acting governor instead of myself, I will say two things. One, I have not seen any paper insinuating his appointment as acting governor. Two, I heard the spokesman of the state government, the commissioner for information, confirming that the speaker was anointed and that the reason why I wasn’t handed over the state is because I belong to a political camp aspiring for governorship position known as Group 8 in the state.
First of all, we should look at what he said to see if it tallies with constitutional provisions. But if what he said is against the provision of the constitution, then it is left for the people to judge.
When you heard the commissioner’s pronouncement how did you feel?
Wallahi, we should thank Almighty Allah that we won election in 2011 when we were not in the position of power. These days, we are facing serious security challenges, killings and kidnapping everywhere. My objective is to take the people out of the menace but not involving deep in political crisis.
How are you conducting your official duties?
I can tell you that since I declared intention to vie for the position of governor in the state, my official entitlements have been stopped; anything that has to do with my office was stopped. I even see cuts in my salary and sometimes the payment is even erratic. What do I do? But I’m not worried whatsoever.
But if I’m deemed a culprit because of my ambition to contest for the governorship position in the state, what is the offence of my aides and other staff? I’m paying some of these aides and other staff from my entitlements when paid. For instance, we are feeding the security operatives attached to my office and management of many official engagements. What is the offence of all the staff?
What action have you taken to reclaim your entitlements?
Well, I see that if I’m being persecuted politically, then this is not the major concern. The issue is how do we get our people out of the current serious security concern. I’m more concerned by that and praying to Almighty Allah to extricate us from the menace of killings and kidnapping.
But some people would wonder why you’ve not taken up the issue with the government, even if for the welfare of your staff and aides?
I can tell you that the reason why we parted ways is that I am not of the belief that they are doing the right thing. I’m being emasculated financially but as a Muslim, if you are being oppressed for the sake of your people then you persevere.
What our religion teaches us is that if people say you are wrong, you look at yourself. If people say you are being oppressed, just leave it, the people will understand that you are really being oppressed and it is left for them to take action on the injustice meted out to you.
So the people of the state should continue praying for lasting peace. It is the end that matters not the beginning.
