Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has revealed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress in 2018 was driven by the same governance failures that persist today under the current administration.
Speaking to enthusiastic supporters in Sokoto, Tambuwal emphasized that his departure from the ruling party was motivated by fundamental disagreements with the government’s approach to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“I remain committed to democracy, the rule of law, and good governance. No agency can make me abandon these principles. What is going on in this country is not right, and that is why I left the APC in 2018. All the reasons I left are even more present now,” Tambuwal declared.
The former governor, who defected from APC to PDP during his tenure, criticized the current administration for failing to address insecurity, economic challenges, and citizens’ welfare, describing governance as lacking “a human face.”
He expressed particular frustration with the government’s inadequate response to security challenges, noting that despite presidential powers, decisive actions such as recruiting additional security personnel have not been implemented.
Tambuwal also criticized the government’s handling of fuel subsidy removal, recalling his opposition to the policy during his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“When I was Speaker, I warned against removing subsidies without a framework to protect the people. It was removed unilaterally, and Nigerians are paying the price,” he said, highlighting how his concerns about protecting citizens from harsh economic policies drove his political decisions.
The senator clarified that the African Democratic Congress opposition coalition he now supports is focused on rescuing Nigeria rather than promoting individual political ambitions.
Addressing speculation that the coalition is designed to advance former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s aspirations, Tambuwal firmly rejected such claims.
“This coalition is not about any individual. It is about rescuing Nigeria. PDP, Labour Party, NNPP and other political forces are coming together to give Nigerians a credible alternative,” he explained.
Tambuwal promised that the coalition would soon unveil a comprehensive policy agenda aimed at tackling the same issues that originally prompted his departure from the APC – insecurity, economic challenges, and poor governance.
He called on Nigerians to unite behind leaders committed to genuine reform, assuring that the coalition would offer a governance model rooted in compassion, competence, and accountability – principles he felt were absent in the APC administration.
