The embattled Chairman of the All Progress Congress (APC), Sokoto State Chapter, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, has criticized the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), for comments on the party’s situation in Sokoto.
Sadiq-Achida made the criticism at a press conference on Monday in Sokoto, arguing that Malami had allegedly abused his office for seemingly preempting the Court issues on the disputes at different levels.
”It was glaringly unfortunate for Malami to drag his exalted office to the mud being the AGF and the Chief Law Officer of the federation to openly preempt the court’s judgment.
“By Malami’s singular act of recognising a faction of APC in Sokoto state, having known that the matter is still pending before a Court of Appeal, the Minister had breached the sanctity of the constitution and his oath of office, which requires him not to allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct,” Sadiq-Achida said.
He further called on the acting National Chairman of APC to expel Malami, ”because of his numerous roles in destabilizing APC in Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kwara States, among others.”
According to him, the presence of Malami and former Kano State governor, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau at a function in Sokoto is a calculated attempt to disrupt the party’s unity in Sokoto.
Sadiq-Achida further argued, ”if Shekarau had any expertise in political manipulation, he should redirect it toward achieving his ambition of controlling the APC in Kano state rather than Sokoto.
”The duo came to Sokoto with a single mission of destabilizing the APC in Sokoto State, we feel bold to tell them that they lost party control in their states, in Sokoto also, their mission is dead on arrival.”
Sadiq-Achida explained that he addressed the press conference on behalf of Senators, State House and House of Representatives members, Elders’ Committee, State and local government executives, among others.
”APC supporters should disregard the utterances of Malami and Shekarau and remain united in support of APC leader, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, who ensured the party’s progress, at all levels,” he urged.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Malami had on Sunday publicly endorsed a factional Chairman of APC in Sokoto State, Alhaji Mainasara Sani.
Malami gave the endorsement on Sunday in Sokoto in his address at the distribution of empowerment tools to constituents by Rep. Balarabe Salame (APC- Gwadabawa/Illela).
The minister’s recognition of Sani as APC State Chairman triggered widespread reactions and criticisms among APC loyalists and residents.
There are ongoing legal disputes on the legality of the last APC state congress and who is to be recognised as the recognized chairman in Sokoto State between Sani and Sirajo Abubakar.
Abubakar and others had instituted a suit challenging the congress that produced Sani as chairman, while another group led by Isa Sadiq-Achida also filed a joinder case and a separate suit.
Sadiq-Achida had asked the court to restrain APC from recognising Sani and others as officers and delegates of the ward, local government, and state congresses of the party which was held on Oct. 13, Sept. 14, and Oct. 16, 2021, respectively.