Tambuwal Defies Intimidation, Vows to Stand with Nigerians Amid EFCC Probe

Former Governor of Sokoto State and serving Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has declared that no anti-graft agency or political force can intimidate or blackmail him. This follows his recent engagement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he claims is politically motivated.

Speaking in Sokoto shortly after returning from what he termed a “brief visit” to EFCC custody, Tambuwal recounted that he honored the commission’s invitation on August 6. He was questioned and released but asked to return on August 10 and 11. On his follow-up visit, after hours of interrogation, EFCC operatives reportedly insisted on stringent bail conditions before he could be released.

Tambuwal said he rejected the conditions, insisting that he should be granted bail on self-recognition, given his political and public service record.

“I told them to go back and tell the chairman of the EFCC that I am a former Speaker of the House of Representatives with an unblemished record, a two-term Governor of Sokoto State, a serving Senator, and a Commander of the Order of the Niger. I should be allowed to go on self-recognition,” he stated.

According to him, despite appeals from his legal team, which included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, EFCC refused to vary the bail terms, forcing him to spend the night in detention before being released the next morning.

ASUP Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unmet 2010 Agreement

Political Undertones Alleged in EFCC Case

Tambuwal questioned the timing of the EFCC’s actions, linking them to political machinations allegedly aimed at discrediting him. He accused the Sokoto State government of setting up what he described as a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” into his tenure as governor.

“Why now?” he asked, hinting at political motives behind the probe and suggesting it was part of a wider strategy to silence his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“In Nigeria today, there are two lines: those with Bola Tinubu and his government, and those with the people of Nigeria. We chose to stand with the people,” Tambuwal declared.

He further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of practising selective justice, stating, “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”

Firm Commitment to Opposition Politics

Rejecting any possibility of political realignment, Tambuwal reaffirmed his loyalty to the opposition coalition, which he says is committed to rescuing Nigeria from misgovernance. He assured his supporters that he would not be cowed into abandoning his principles of democracy, rule of law, and good governance.

“I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record,” he said to cheering supporters in Sokoto.

The senator, a key member of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, emphasized that the alliance was not about promoting the presidential ambition of any individual but about charting a collective rescue mission for the nation.

Coalition’s Policy Agenda

Tambuwal announced that the coalition—comprising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other political groups—would soon unveil a comprehensive policy agenda.

The plan, he explained, would focus on tackling insecurity, reviving the economy, and improving the welfare of citizens.

He criticized the APC-led government’s handling of national challenges, particularly security, stating that decisive measures such as recruiting more security personnel had not been taken despite the president’s powers to act.

Criticism of Governance and Fuel Subsidy Removal

Tambuwal accused the current administration of lacking “a human face” in governance. He lamented the worsening state of the economy, insecurity, and public welfare, saying that the issues that prompted his defection from the APC in 2018 have only deepened.

“What is going on in this country is not right, and that is why I left the APC in 2018. All the reasons I left are even more present now,” he noted.

On the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, Tambuwal recalled opposing any abrupt withdrawal without protective measures for citizens.

“When I was Speaker, I warned against removing subsidies without a framework to protect the people. It was removed unilaterally, and Nigerians are paying the price,” he said, adding that the move has worsened living conditions for millions.

National Unity and Reform

The senator urged Nigerians to rally behind leaders committed to genuine reform, assuring that the coalition will present a governance model rooted in compassion, competence, and accountability.

He stressed that the coalition’s mission transcends personal ambition, describing it as a platform to restore hope, rebuild institutions, and return governance to the service of the people.

“Our goal is simple—rescue Nigeria. This is not about Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, or Tambuwal. It is about giving Nigerians a credible alternative to the APC,” he concluded.

Tambuwal’s defiance in the face of EFCC questioning and his pointed criticism of the ruling party underscore the increasingly polarised nature of Nigeria’s political climate. With elections still some years away, his stance signals that opposition forces are already gearing up for a fierce contest over the country’s direction.