Former transportation minister Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman has described his invitation to appear before the Sokoto State Commission of Enquiry into activities of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as political vendetta and victimisation.
However, he told the commission that he did not receive any vehicles or properties from the former Tambuwal administration and previous state governments because he did not hold any government position.
Suleiman, a minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, was the director general of the PDP Campaign for Atiku/Ubandoma for President and Governor in Sokoto state during the 2023 elections.
The Ahmed Aliyu-led administration initiated the Commission of Inquiry to investigate donations, sales and auctioning during the eight years of the former PDP-led Tambuwal administration.
Presiding over the commission proceedings yesterday, the chairman of the commission, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, said the former minister was invited as a witness to the panel to testify on the panel memo 077.
The PDP and the commission counsels cross-examined Suleiman, Barrister Nuhu Adamu and Barrister Amanze Amanze, respectively.
The former minister, who briefed newsmen alongside the panel proceedings, described his summon as “disheartening, indeed very sad that my state, which should be in the forefront of protecting my integrity, is trying to accuse me at this stage.
“As I said earlier, I served this country at the highest level, especially at the executive council of the federation, as I ran one of the biggest ministries in this country, the Ministry of Transportation. I have not been found wanting in any way.”
He said the panel’s decision touched his imagination that he could be a summoned to appear on flimsy and hear-say statements.
“The panel acted on a rumour that someone saw me driving a Prado SUV that looked like a government vehicle and summoned me because of that; I think it is unfortunate, and the action shows how much we have degenerated as a people.
“My message to the commission is that they are honourable people who have distinguished themselves in their various careers, they should do their assignment honourably, and they should know that not just the people of the state but God is watching over them, and whatever they do they will account for it.
“For the Sokoto State government, I have nothing for them to say except that they should continue with what they are doing. They are showing the way, and 2027 is approaching. We will flush them out and revisit what they have done.
“For me to be invited is political vendetta; otherwise, I did not work for the Sokoto State government or hold any government position in the previous administrations.
“I did not serve in the defunct Attahiru Bafarawa administration, nor worked in Aliyu’s Magatakarda Wamakko administration, and I did not serve in the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal regime recently, so why am I invited to the commission, except on political victimisation?
“I did not work for the Sokoto State government, and everybody knows I don’t need a Prado SUV. Let them do it, and Allah is watching them; we leave everything to Him and continue to pray to Him until he answers our prayers and flushes them out of the state.”
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