Spotlights
2027: Once you join APC, your sins are forgiven – Tambuwal
The former Governor of Sokoto State and currently serving Senator, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has provided insights regarding his recent engagement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He emphasised that neither any agency nor political entity has the capability to intimidate him.
Speaking in Sokoto upon his return from the EFCC’s custody—characterizing the experience as a “brief visit”—Tambuwal indicated that he had been invited by the anti-graft agency and had willingly presented himself at their office on August 6.
He reported that following initial rounds of questioning, he was permitted to return home but was subsequently instructed to return on August 10 and 11 for further inquiries. During the follow-up visit, after several hours of questioning, Tambuwal requested to leave once more.
However, EFCC officials stipulated that he must secure two sureties—specifically, directors within the Federal Civil Service, accompanied by letters of introduction from their respective employers—prior to being granted his release.
“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,” Tambuwal said.
He stated that despite appeals from his legal team, which included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the EFCC operatives refused to vary the bail conditions.
As a result, he was detained overnight before being released the following morning after meeting the bail terms.
Tambuwal questioned the timing of the EFCC’s actions, linking them to a broader political plot.
“Why now?” he queried, hinting that the current Sokoto State administration had earlier set up what he described as a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” to probe his tenure, which he believed was politically motivated.
He argued that these events were part of efforts to discredit him and silence dissenting voices critical of the federal government under President Bola Tinubu.
“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,” he declared.
Tambuwal further criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), referencing a common political cliché: “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”
He rejected any notion of political realignment, vowing to remain steadfast with the coalition for national rescue.
“I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record,” he said.