Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing internal crisis, insisting that recent high-profile defections from the party were based on personal political choices.
Tambuwal said the exits of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the ADC-backed coalition to the National Democratic Congress were not triggered by any internal disagreement.
Their departures, alongside those of several federal lawmakers, had raised concerns in political circles that the ADC-led coalition may be struggling with unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
But speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal maintained that there was no evidence of a crack within the party.
“I do not believe that it was out of any crack. I believe that they wanted to go to another platform for them to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people at the general elections,” he said.
The former governor also rejected suggestions that the ADC structure had been designed to favour former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying none of the key stakeholders publicly raised such allegations.
“I didn’t hear Governor Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so,” he added.
Tambuwal further argued that the party remained open and inclusive under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark, who serves as chairman of the coalition.
“And if it is an assumption of any individual, observers or public commentators, I believe that with Distinguished Senator David Mark on the saddle as chairman of ADC, a level playing field would have been provided,” he said.
He also maintained that no faction was sidelined in the party’s structure, stressing that stakeholders had equal participation in decision-making processes.
“Stakeholder involvement is very clear in ADC… there is nobody that is clearly an Atiku person occupying the office of the National Chairman, National Secretary, Organising Secretary or Legal Adviser,” he said.
Tambuwal noted that Peter Obi had been given the opportunity to nominate the party’s National Organising Secretary, describing the role as the “engine room” of the party.
Earlier on Friday, Tambuwal also attended a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with party loyalists, community leaders, youth groups and political associates, where he reportedly relinquished the party’s senatorial ticket to former Commissioner for Finance, Faruk Malami-Yabo, after consultations and disagreements over the selection process for the 2027 elections.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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