Tag: aminu Waziri Tambuwal

Tambuwal’s arrest politically motivated, says former APC chieftain

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, has alleged that the arrest of former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a politically motivated move aimed at weakening the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the North-West.

Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, is a key figure in the ADC’s coalition strategy. Ojo claimed that the timing of the arrest suggests it was intended to damage Tambuwal’s growing political influence, particularly in Sokoto and across the North-West. He argued that such actions could backfire, turning Tambuwal into “the people’s hero” amid public dissatisfaction with the current administration.

“It is believed that those in government instigated the petition to the EFCC,” Ojo said, alleging that political rivals, including Tambuwal’s predecessor, may have played a role. He questioned why the EFCC has not acted on long-standing petitions against former governors and other APC members who were under investigation before joining the ruling party.

Ojo likened Tambuwal’s situation to that of former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who faced graft allegations but reportedly saw investigations fade after aligning with the APC. Citing past remarks by former APC chairman Adams Oshiomhole that “once you join APC, your sins are forgiven,” Ojo argued that the EFCC’s actions reflect a selective approach to anti-corruption enforcement.

Describing the move as a “political vendetta” and “an attempt to intimidate Tambuwal into joining the APC,” Ojo urged opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2027 elections. He warned that the current trend risks steering Nigeria toward a one-party state.

“The opposition is too quiet,” he said. “They must come together, like in 2015 when a coalition unseated the PDP, to rescue Nigerians from hardship, insecurity, and poor governance.”

Would you like me to also prepare three alternative concise headlines for this story so you have options for publication?

13/08/2025
Oppositions slam EFCC over Tambuwal’s detention, agency denies bias

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

The detention of former Sokoto State governor and opposition coalition figure Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked political backlash, with senior opposition leaders accusing the agency of selective prosecution.

Tambuwal, held on Monday and released Tuesday, was detained shortly before the EFCC invited former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha for questioning. Both are key members of a recently formed opposition coalition.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged the EFCC was engaging in a “choreographed media trial” aimed at discrediting coalition leaders. The party questioned the timing of fresh investigations into its chairman, former Senate President David Mark, and others years after leaving office, while alleging inaction on recent cases involving ruling party members.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the APC-led federal government of using the EFCC to “harass, intimidate, and decimate” the opposition, warning that the practice undermines institutions and fuels corruption. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi called for a transparent, non-partisan anti-corruption drive, urging uniform application of the law regardless of political affiliation.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede rejected the claims, describing the ADC’s criticism as “self-serving” and insisting there are “no sacred cows” in its operations.

He said the commission had also investigated serving and former APC officials and stressed that corruption allegations, regardless of when they occurred, must be examined. Olukoyede urged Nigerians to disregard politically motivated statements, emphasising that the agency’s only mandate is to ensure accountability and probity in public office.

13/08/2025
2023: Saraki, Tambuwal, Bala Mohammed opt for concensus candidate for PDP

By Aboje Anefu, Makurdi

THREE presidential aspirants on the flagship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have come together under a platform known as Unity Forum through which they hope to pick a consensus candidate to fly the flag of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The aspirants, including former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of House of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal as well as the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed disclosed this during their visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State at the Government House in Makurdi on Monday.

Spokesman of the Forum and former Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki said the purpose of the visit is to inform Governor Ortom about their intentions to arrive at a consensus among all presidential aspirants of the party.

“I’m here today with two brothers, the governor of Sokoto State, Tambuwal and of course, the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.

“We are here today as part of our ongoing consultation of three of us who have shown indication to aspire for presidency under our great party and who also on our own, about couple of weeks ago, felt that the interest of our party as well the interest of our great country that we should be able to come together and find a consensus among us.

“Our interest is very little to compare to our country at this time which is at a very defining moment. I believe only our party can rescue this country from where it is today and those of us who are aspiring are committed to ensure that we find somebody who will unite us whom we will all support. That’s a better way to unite the party and reduce the rancour in the process,” Saraki said.

He said that three of them alone cannot do the work because of its enormity and stressed that it was for that reason that they have decided to carry all stakeholders of the party along with a view to achieving the aim.

“To do that we must also carry along key stakeholders of the party, leaders in the party like yourself and that’s why we are here today. Our plan is to see your other colleagues (other PDP governors) across the country. We hope today to see you and two other governors and also tomorrow some others.

Three of us alone cannot win and deliver, it is all of us and that’s why we feel that at this very stage of our deliberation, leaders like yourself must be part of it. That’s why we held a private discussion for you to know that we are very serious about this. The seriousness comes from our total belief that it’s the unity of our party. All of us are eminently qualified to lead this country; it’s about us ensuring that we put the country first and that is why we are here.

“What are we committed about? We are committed about PDP winning. Any of the aspirants is eminently competent to rule this country and lead this country

“But whoever that person is, he needs all of us. That is what is priority, not whether Aminu is President or it’s Bala or Wike or Anyim or Waziri; no! It is what will make Nigeria better and we believe it’s the PDP platform

“Forget that issue, that anybody will scatter the party; that’s not what’s before us. Many of us have seen what Nigerians have gone through in the last number of years, both in the number of people that have died, those that have gone through a lot of hardship, banditry attacks and the cost of living.

“This is bigger than our ambition. This is not forced concensus, like the one you saw on the other weekend, this is real concensus,” Saraki further stressed.

Responding, Governor Ortom who commended the three presidential aspirants for taking the bold step they have taken, expressed confidence in the ability of each of them to be president of the country.

“I am humbled by the combination of these three coming to Benue State. I want to appreciate them for finding me worthy to be the first person after their Bauchi meeting to visit. I want to encourage them, they have done the right thing, they have taken the right step as an opposition party aspiring to rescue Nigeria and rebuild Nigeria.

28/03/2022