Nigerians should not panic over governors’ defections to APC – Tambuwal

Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians not to panic over the wave of political defections across the country, insisting that electoral victory ultimately lies with the people and not with sitting governors. Tambuwal made the remark on Thursday while speaking during the flag-off of the […]

Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians not to panic over the wave of political defections across the country, insisting that electoral victory ultimately lies with the people and not with sitting governors.

Tambuwal made the remark on Thursday while speaking during the flag-off of the distribution of Ramadan support to members of his political movement at his residence in Sokoto. 

The event, which he said has become an annual tradition during the holy month of Ramadan, also served as his first public address after announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

 

He began by expressing gratitude to God for the opportunity to gather once again to support members of the movement and thanked political leaders and supporters in Sokoto for remaining steadfast over the years.

“We thank Allah for granting us this opportunity to assemble here once again and carry out this exercise of distributing support to our teaming supporters during Ramadan.

“I must continue to thank all our leaders and supporters in Sokoto State for remaining steadfast and committed to the democratic journey despite persuasion, persecution and, in some instances, cajoling.” he said

The senator revealed that his decision to leave the PDP followed extensive consultations with stakeholders within his political movement.

According to him, over 1,900 leaders were consulted over the past few weeks before a unanimous decision was reached.

“As you are aware, yesterday I defected from PDP to ADC. That decision was born out of extensive consultations with stakeholders of this movement. Over 1,900 leaders were consulted and the decision was unanimous,” he said.

Tambuwal explained that three options were presented to stakeholders: remaining in the PDP despite its internal crises and litigations, joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), or moving to the ADC.

 He said the stakeholders unanimously agreed that joining the ADC was the best path forward.

He therefore called on supporters to register with the ADC and help build the party ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections.

“I appeal to all our supporters to go and register with this party so that we can build it and make it strong enough to participate effectively in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Addressing concerns about the growing number of governors defecting to the APC, Tambuwal cautioned Nigerians against assuming that political power rests solely with incumbent office holders.

“It is not about being a governor that makes you win an election. In 2023, ten sitting governors, including myself, ran for senatorial seats, and only seven won at the ballot,” he noted.