Gov Tambuwal joins roll-call, dumps APC

The governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, joined his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bringing the total number of governors who have defected from the ruling party to three.

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom led the way last week followed by Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdufatah, who followed the footsteps of his former boss, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to defect on Tuesday.

Tambuwal’s defection has been expected, as he is believed to be eyeing the presidency.

Tambuwal described the opposition PDP, as a repositioned and forward looking party.

“Let me at this juncture state emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today, because the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid in the future. It is now a repositioned and forward looking political party to which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths”, Tambuwal said.

The governor also had harsh words for the APC and the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the party has jettisoned its campaign promises just as the economy of the country has nose dived and insecurity taken over the country.

“​Now, almost four years into what ought to be a new order as desired and elected by Nigerians, the nation is unfortunately going through the most difficult and precarious times, since the Civil war; with ethno, religious and regional distrust at its highest ebb.

“​This development had often been blamed on political opponents. Meanwhile, there are issues of brazen inequity and capacity and questionable distribution of appointments/projects. This is in addition to lack of statesmanship in responding to national issues, among other things that are for aggravating the anomaly.

“In line with the best traditions in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected Governor, I have painstakingly consulted far and wide, on whether the present political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our people.

Read also: Finally, Saraki quits APC

“It is because I am convinced that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained denial of obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the Nigerian State is being run today; because I am unwilling to be part of frightful conspiracy against the cohesion of the Nigerian State, Nigeria youths and peoples; because I am unable to feel at ease in the face of a progressively divided nation and, above all, because I am totally unable to reconcile myself to a national leadership that offers no redeeming moral beacons that I am here with you today; to announce withdrawal of my membership of the All Progressives Congress and return to the People’s Democratic Party”, the governor said.

According to Tambuwal he is leaving the APC with a mixture of sadness and relief because he did not expect the party not to be able to manage the country.

“It has also not broken new grounds in any positive sense, but has instead reached historically unprecedented heights of impunity in all manner of vices far above and beyond the challenges which made some of us to leave the PDP about four years ago to join others to form the APC. The party has brazenly turned itself into a sanctuary for the corrupt and a machine for rigging and for the rape of democracy”, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives said.

 

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now