Former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said he would not be intimidated or blackmailed into joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tambuwal who served as Sokoto State governor between 2015 and 2023, was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of mismanagement of N189 billion while in office.
He was however later released.
The former governor who now represents Sokoto South Senatorial District, made a triumphantly entry to Sokoto State on Thursday and was received by a mammoth crowd of his supporters.
He described his arrest by the EFCC as a calculated blackmail and intimidation to join the APC, adding, “No going back on my journey with like-minded individuals to salvage the country from the woes of the APC-led government.”
Although he was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tambuwal is linked with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the newly adopted coalition platform to oust President Bola Tinubu from office in 2027.
He stated that Nigerians are ready to end the APC-led government’s misrule in 2027.
“The Tinubu administration has taken Nigerians to the brink. A government with no compassion, no sympathy, and no concern for Nigerians who are fast becoming distraught due to insecurity, poverty, and social underdevelopment,” he stated.
According to him, coalition movement was tailored to ensure that right things were done.
He assured the people that the ADC determined to end the sufferings and pains inflicted on them by the APC government.
“We are committed to democratic efforts, and we will join forces with all Nigerians to ensure that, by the grace of God, in 2027 we end this misrule and misgovernance in our country.
“What they failed to realise, however, is that I cannot be intimidated, I cannot be blackmailed, and no one can tarnish my records, which God has blessed me with, from my service in the House of Representatives in 2003, where I served as minority leader; 2007, where I served as Deputy Chief Whip, until 2011, where I served as the 7th Speaker of the House, before moving to become the governor of my state, Sokoto, in 2015.
“I served two terms till 2023 as governor. And after that, I have been a Senator since then, which is an indication that I have served my people and our country well,” Tambuwal stated.
He said he was not surprised at the EFCC’s invitation over the N189 billion allegation, recalling that he was investigated by the current Sokoto State government, but found nothing against him.
“The same thing with this invitation by the EFCC, which is politically motivated with the purpose of intimidation to join the APC, where if you join, your sins are forgiven,” he stated.
