By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the former Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has cleared on the circumstances surrounding the ministerial nomination of Bello Muhammad Goronyo from Sokoto.
Tambuwal’s explanation is contained in a statement by former commissioner at the state Ministry of Information and Societal Re-Orientation, Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu, and made available to this online platform on Wednesday.
According to Tambuwal, Goronyo was dropped from his cabinet because he decamped from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not due to this lack of expertise.
“Contrary to the circulating rumors, Former Governor Tambuwal had to drop Bello Muhammad Goronyo from his Executive Council due to Goronyo’s decamping to the opposition APC.
“The dropping of Bello Muhammad Goronyo from the Sokoto State Executive Council, by the PDP government of the time was therefore a logical step to avoid a conflict of partisan loyalty, rather than lack of appreciation for his dedication and service to the people of Sokoto State.
“The former Governor, therefore, still recognizes and acknowledges the ex- commissioner’s service to his administration. For the avoidance of doubt, former Governor Tambuwal holds Hon. Goronyo in high regard and sincerely wishes him the best in all his future endeavors,”
The statement said that the clarification became necessary following observed attempts by some persons to misinform and also create unwarranted tension among the people.
“It is crucial to clarify this matter, as misinformation can undermine the efforts of the Senator Tambuwal of seeing Hon. Bello Goronyo’s clearance as Minister representing Sokoto state in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and create unnecessary tensions among the people.
“It is also evident that Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal did not keep mum during the screening and clearance of Hon. Goronyo as ministerial nominee representing Sokoto state as Tambuwal highly recommended him to his colleagues in the Senate chamber as capable of holding a ministerial position and therefore appealed to them to screen and clear him,” the statement said.
The statement restated Tambuwal’s commitment to the progress, development, and good leadership in the interest of the citizenry.