Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has
announced his decision to quit the race for the presidential ticket of the
opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tambuwal will go for the Sokoto governorship ticket and will pick
nomination forms this week, sources close to the speaker said last night.
In a statement he issued last night titled ‘My Political Future’, Tambuwal said his decision followed wide consultations and that he suspended his presidential ambition in the best interest of his party, the APC.
Tambuwal had been in the news since last year for nurturing an ambition to run for the country’s presidency, even before his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC on October 28.
Last Thursday,
some of the Speaker’s colleagues and other associates purchased APC
presidential nomination form for Tambuwal to join General Muhammadu Buhari,
Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Sam Nda-Isaiah to
join the contest for the party’s ticket.
At a presentation ceremony in Abuja on Friday, the lawmakers said they were convinced that Tambuwal has the capacity to rule Nigeria effectively going by his track records as a federal legislator since 2003.
However, Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Friday that Tambuwal had since dumped his presidential ambition to run for Sokoto governorship. Some political analysts however accused the speaker of playing games over his true ambition.
Tambuwal is said to have the backing of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to run for governorship. Already, Sokoto State chapter of APC has zoned the seat to Tambuwal’s zone of Sokoto South.
“Having consulted widely, taking into consideration the concerns of some elders of the party, I have decided to suspend my participation in the presidential contest for now. I have done so as a sacrifice for the cohesion and unity of the APC.
“I am suspending my participation in the presidential race for now because I do not have any inordinate ambition to occupy any office. Nigeria is a country too great to sacrifice on the altar of partisan politics and personal ambition. What any one becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only God gives power to whoever he pleases.
“I came into the APC to enhance and build. Therefore in the interest of our great party the APC and indeed in the overriding national interest I wish to appeal to all my associates, colleagues, supporters, admirers and friends nationwide to show some understanding.
“It has not been easy coming to this decision and I very well understand the frustration, disappointment and disbelief of many who have committed so much to the project including sacrificing not only their physical, financial and intellectual resources but indeed their personal ambitions in the 2015 electoral contest.
“I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC and cooperation with my uncles and senior brothers and colleagues who are already in the race for the APC Presidential ticket: I refer to General Muhamadu Buhari, Alh Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam Ndah- Isaiah. There is no doubt that they are all eminently qualified,” Tambuwal said.
“Ever since news of the possibility of my participation in the presidential contest got into the public domain, it has generated monumental interest, analyses and commentary.
“I have also, both personally and through prominent leaders across party lines and beyond, consulted extensively and I must say that I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and interest. On my part and with the greatest sense of modesty and responsibility I wish to assure Nigerians that I am fully prepared, ready, willing, determined, available and armed with the requisite plans, programs and ability, to undertake the great mission of rescuing our dear country from the clutches of institutionalized corruption, gross incompetence, greed and divisiveness,” he added.
When contacted last night, one of the lawmakers who contributed money to purchase the presidential form for Tambuwal, Rep Zakari Mohammed, said they respect the speaker’s decision.
Although many of Tambuwal’s supporters, especially those from the South West may be disappointed by this development, the Speaker said he is ready to work for the nation at any point in time when the need arises.
At a presentation ceremony in Abuja on Friday, the lawmakers said they were convinced that Tambuwal has the capacity to rule Nigeria effectively going by his track records as a federal legislator since 2003.
However, Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Friday that Tambuwal had since dumped his presidential ambition to run for Sokoto governorship. Some political analysts however accused the speaker of playing games over his true ambition.
Tambuwal is said to have the backing of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to run for governorship. Already, Sokoto State chapter of APC has zoned the seat to Tambuwal’s zone of Sokoto South.
“Having consulted widely, taking into consideration the concerns of some elders of the party, I have decided to suspend my participation in the presidential contest for now. I have done so as a sacrifice for the cohesion and unity of the APC.
“I am suspending my participation in the presidential race for now because I do not have any inordinate ambition to occupy any office. Nigeria is a country too great to sacrifice on the altar of partisan politics and personal ambition. What any one becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only God gives power to whoever he pleases.
“I came into the APC to enhance and build. Therefore in the interest of our great party the APC and indeed in the overriding national interest I wish to appeal to all my associates, colleagues, supporters, admirers and friends nationwide to show some understanding.
“It has not been easy coming to this decision and I very well understand the frustration, disappointment and disbelief of many who have committed so much to the project including sacrificing not only their physical, financial and intellectual resources but indeed their personal ambitions in the 2015 electoral contest.
“I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC and cooperation with my uncles and senior brothers and colleagues who are already in the race for the APC Presidential ticket: I refer to General Muhamadu Buhari, Alh Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam Ndah- Isaiah. There is no doubt that they are all eminently qualified,” Tambuwal said.
“Ever since news of the possibility of my participation in the presidential contest got into the public domain, it has generated monumental interest, analyses and commentary.
“I have also, both personally and through prominent leaders across party lines and beyond, consulted extensively and I must say that I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and interest. On my part and with the greatest sense of modesty and responsibility I wish to assure Nigerians that I am fully prepared, ready, willing, determined, available and armed with the requisite plans, programs and ability, to undertake the great mission of rescuing our dear country from the clutches of institutionalized corruption, gross incompetence, greed and divisiveness,” he added.
When contacted last night, one of the lawmakers who contributed money to purchase the presidential form for Tambuwal, Rep Zakari Mohammed, said they respect the speaker’s decision.
Although many of Tambuwal’s supporters, especially those from the South West may be disappointed by this development, the Speaker said he is ready to work for the nation at any point in time when the need arises.