After months of speculation and denials, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives , Aminu Tambuwal has finally defected fom the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP to the opposition All Progressives Congress,APC today.
Tambuwal announced his defection thus:”My dear Colleagues,Pursuant to the extant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and having regards to development in my home State of Sokoto, I wish to hereby formally notify you of my Membership of the All Progressive Congress APC.
“Let me register my profound appreciation to all of you my colleagues for the unflinching support you have continued to extend to me and the great sacrifice you are making in the pursuit of the overall National interest and the development of constitutional democracy.
“May the Almighty God continue to guide us all in the exercise of the peoples mandate entrusted in us.”Tambuwal said.
It is however an open secret that the Speaker is expected to also anytime soon pick up the gubernatorial ticket of the APC in Sokoto State.Some politicians however think he is eyeing the presidency.”I think he is torn between running for presidency and vying for governorship”, a close watcher said in Abuja, before Tambuwal’s declaration on Tuesday.
A source close to Tambuwal in Sokoto however told Newsdiaryonline that the Speaker is more likely to run for the state’s gubernatorial race.The source claimed that Tambuwal dropped his presidential ambition in deference to General Muhammadu Buhari.”As soon as Buhari decided to run, Tambuwal said he will not challenge him”, the source claimed.
It was also learnt a few weeks ago that Tambuwal’s political future had been an issue of keen interest to some members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria.One diplomat said, they have realised that Tambuwal may not run for the presidency despite all the talks by his allies.
Meanwhile ,contrary to earlier calculations ,Tambuwal appears ready ,according reports today, to fight to keep his position as the Speaker House of Representatives.
There are those who are believed to be eyeing Tambuwal’s seat.Whether the speaker will in fact keep his seat after defecting to the APC remains to be seen.Also, Nigerians are waiting to see what next step will take next,in practical terms to advance his political future.Already,PDP is kicking after his defection.
His final defection has merely given official stamp to his actions in recent times .Newsdiaryonline had observed that he had been a regular feature at APC functions organised by Sokoto State Governor Magatakarda Wamakko.
After Leadership newspapers granted G7 governors an award recently,Tambuwal was at the reception and lunch organized in honour of Wamakko at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja as reported by Newsdiaryonline.
Last week, he admittedly attended a Stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto.
