ZAMFARA State governor, Abdulaziz Yari has picked the state commissioner for Finance, Mukhtar Idris, to succeed him against the much-anticipated deputy governor, Ibrahim Wakkala.
Even though it was gathered that there was an agreement between the governor and their political mentor, Senator Ahmed Sani, that if he completes his tenure, Wakkala will succeed him, but the current crisis involving some governors and their deputies forced the governor to change his mind.
Already, the state ruling party (APC) had resolved to zone the position of the governor to the central zone . Interestingly, this is the zone of the current deputy governor and the state commissioner for finance.
According to a source, the governor had announced his successor at a recent meeting of APC stakeholders and party elders in the state.
‘Even though it was resolved that all governorship aspirants under the party should be allowed to contest if that is their wish, he declared.
Findings gathered that so far, Senator Kabir Marafa, Mansur DanAli, Minister of Defence, Sani Jaji, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, former governor of the state, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi and Muktar Idris, the state commissioner for Finance has obtained forms indicating their interest to vie for the office.
A member of Wakkala Leadership Forum, who pleaded for anonymity remarked that his principal will on Monday obtain his form, saying,’we are all set to escort to Abuja .
Other aspirants who have declared their interest and are yet to obtain the form are Dauda Lawal Dare, executive director with First Bank, Abu Magaji, retired federal permanent secretary, the speaker of the House of Assembly, Sanusi Garba Rikiji as well as Muktaka Rini, the state commissioner for Education.
Different views about the governor’s endorsement of the state commissioner for finance have started flying around. While others welcomed the department saying that has been the tradition in the state, others are kicking against the arrangement.
Sources said all the party executives in the 14 local government areas and 147 wards in the state have endorsed the governor’s candidate.
‘With such endorsement, backed by the governor’s support, the primaries will simply be a walkover.
“In Zamfara, we are used to consensus. It was consensus that brought the present governor and his deputy.
However, another source contended that Senator Ahmed Sani has not said anything concerning the endorsement. So the endorsement could not be final.