Former Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has declared his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for Nigeria’s future leadership.
In an interview on Friday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Rt. Hon. Tambuwal emphasised that his political choices were guided by principles of leadership rather than personal relationships.
Tambuwal also stressed that his decision to support Atiku was based on principles and policy direction, rather than personal biases.
“When it comes to leadership of this country and leadership of the people, tomorrow, not even today, I would rather support Atiku than Nyesom Wike,” he stated.
He further explained that his disagreements with politicians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, were based on principles and policy direction, not personal grievances.
Tambuwal highlighted that he had maintained cordial relationships with past and present leaders across party lines.
“It is a collaboration; it is not something difficult. Once it is about being altruistic and nothing personal,” he said, adding that he had never personally attacked President Bola Tinubu or Nyesom Wike.
Tambuwal emphasised the importance of separating friendship from leadership decisions.
“It is not about my friendship with you, and I am saying this with all sense of responsibility. If Atiku Abubakar comes in here and Wike requests my phone, which is personal to me, I will personally give it to Wike as a personal friend.
The rift between Tambuwal and Wike dates back to 2023, when Wike criticised Tambuwal, Atiku, and Bukola Saraki for allegedly failing to honour an agreement within the PDP leadership to zone the presidential ticket to the South.
Tambuwal, however, maintained that his decision to support Atiku was not personal but based on principles and policy direction.
Tambuwal, also accused President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of destabilising opposition parties in Nigeria, saying that Tinubu have intentionally plotted the fall of opposition parties.
The opposition parties have been experiencing internal squabbles and defections, with several governors and lawmakers leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) for the APC.
Tambuwal attributed these developments to the ruling party’s efforts to weaken the opposition.
In response to the APC’s perceived efforts to destabilise them, some aggrieved members of the ruling party, PDP, LP, and others have formed a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The coalition included notable figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi.
However, the APC has dismissed the coalition’s efforts, with President Tinubu describing the opposition as a “sinking ship”.
When asked for evidence to support his claims, Tambuwal insisted that the APC’s involvement in destabilising opposition parties was evident.
“I am not accusing them. I am saying they are involved in efforts aimed at destabilisation of opposition parties,” he stated.
