Senator Wamakko misunderstood by Ndigbo.

By George Onmonya Daniel
I can tell you wholeheartedly that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, former governor of Sokoto State, is a nationalist. If there is one politician in Northern Nigeria who doesn’t care about your ethnicity, religion, region and background, it is Wamakko popularly called ALU by his people. 
During my visits on several occasions to interview Alu in Sokoto State government house or his Gawon mNama residence when he was governor and on my numerous visits to Sokoto, I remember meeting the Igbo Chief in Sokoto in his house and how close the Igbo communities in Sokoto State were to Wamakko. This is a relationship Alu has maintained till today. 
Recently I went to interview Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member, House of Representatives Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos, in his office in the National Assembly. On noticing he is in the same committee with Alu I told him that Alu was my boss and friend. We stopped the interview briefly as he told me how Alu has taken him as a son and the cordial relationship between them, I remember he ended it by saying Wamakko is like my father. This is a Christian legislature calling Wamakko his father. 
One of Wamakko’s best friend and I met him with Wamakko, was Chief Uche Ezechukwu, personal press secretary to General Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, member of the editorial boards of The Sun Newspaper and Authority. Also, he was instrumental in the founding of several newspapers in Nigeria, including Leadership. Chief Uche Ezechukwu passed away early this year. 
A couple of months ago Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe, a United States based human rights lawyer who is the man who took all the Chibok girls to the United States and ensured they got the best of education and care called me. He was on the plane heading to Nigeria and was coming with Reverend Devlin who wanted to see Senator Wamakko. I told him I will see what I can do. All I did was to send a text message to Alu and that night we saw Alu. I recall how Wamakko listened quietly to Reverend Devlin who was dressed in priestly robe with a big cross around his neck. After their discussion the Reverend asked to pray for Wamakko. Even as a Muslim Wamakko stood up and allowed the man. This happened in Wamakko’s Asokoro’s resident. This is how simple, tolerant, and welcoming Wamakko can be. 
Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko says it as it is and what he said pertaining the crisis in the South East where innocent law abiding citizens of Nigeria,  from his constituent and because they are northerners, became target of unknown gunmen (IPOB militiamen) cannot be disputed as wrong. Senator Wamakko asked that South Eastern political leaders condemn the attack and killings instead of keep silent. Condemnation of such acts by notable and respected leaders goes a long way in helping diffuse should madness.