Two hundred and fifty-two Special Advisers and Special Assistants appointed under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s administration in Sokoto State have reportedly resigned their posts.
The concerned aides said their resignation was informed by the recent decision by their principal to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party which they are bona fide members in the State.
They explained that remaining in APC will not allow them to function in their respective positions under Tambuwal’s government.
The spokesman of the SAs, Hon. Dasuki Haske, was said to have disclosed this while addressing journalists in Sokoto.
He said: “We deem it fit to state categorically that we are not ready to join Governor Tambuwal in his new party. That was what informed our decision. We will remain in APC and there is no going back.
“We are members of APC before taken up our appointments as SAs and it was based on our membership values that we are given such positions. Now, we have resigned because the governor has not performance well since inception to justify our supports for him.
“We want to assure that we will work for the success of APC in the state comes 2019 general election. We will work for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and our state party leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,” Haske said.
Another speaker, Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad Sokoto assured that all the resigned aides will work for the success of APC in the state.
Reacting to their resignations, the state APC Chairman, Hon. Isah Achida thanked the Special Advisers and Assistants for their loyalty to the party.
He promised to reward them for their steadfastness and commitment to the party.
“We thank you for been loyal to the party and we are assuring you of equal treatment as a loyal party members. We have taken cognisance of your loyalty and commitment,” Achida stated.
But the governor announced the termination of their appointments.
A tweet by Abubakar Shekara, the Director-General, Media and Public Affairs to the Governor, said the termination was to enable the affected aides “engage in partisan activities without ethical or moral dilemmas”.
Tambuwal also thanked them for their service and wished them all the best.
A tweet via the handle of the Sokoto State Government House, @SokotoGovtHouse, on Sunday evening, read: The @GovSokoto, Rt Hon @AWTambuwal has directed the termination of the appointment of all Special Assistants from the service of the state. This is to enable the appointees engage in partisan activities without ethical or moral dilemmas.
“The Governor thanks them for their service to the state and wishes them success in their future undertakings. @AbunNana DG, Media and Public Affairs to the Governor.”
The aides, numbering 252, had earlier on Sunday evening, announced their resignation, and restated their commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with newsmen in Sokoto earlier on Sunday, Honourable Dasuki Haske, spokesperson for the aides, had said: “We are not ready to join Governor Tambuwal in his new party. That was what informed our decision. We will remain in APC and there is no going back.”