By Adeyemi David
A former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party was driven by the lingering crisis within the party and what he described as a calculated move to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Tambuwal, who now represents Sokoto South Senatorial District under the African Democratic Congress, made the claim on Thursday in Sokoto while addressing journalists on his recent defection from the PDP to the ADC.
The former governor explained that his decision followed extensive consultations and a long period of reviewing Nigeria’s political environment, noting that the process leading to his defection began more than two years ago.
Read also:FG rules out petrol price controls, backs market pricing amid Middle East tensions
According to him, developments within the country’s political space suggested that the ruling All Progressives Congress might be positioning Nigeria towards a one-party system.
“When we projected into the future, we saw clear signs that the APC administration might want to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” Tambuwal said.
He disclosed that a panel made up of political experts, practicing politicians and professors from reputable universities was commissioned to examine Nigeria’s evolving political situation.
The panel, he said, included members drawn from the PDP, the Labour Party and the APC.
Tambuwal said the panel’s findings indicated that both the PDP and the Labour Party might struggle to remain viable in their present forms ahead of the 2027 elections.
“From the analysis, it appeared that the PDP and the Labour Party might not survive in their current form.
The clear understanding from the study was that both parties may not be in a position to field strong presidential candidates in the 2027 general election,” he said.
He further alleged that efforts were underway to weaken the two opposition parties to the level of smaller political parties that often negotiate with the party in power during elections.
Tambuwal also claimed that part of the alleged strategy involved ensuring that Peter Obi does not remain in the Labour Party to contest in the next presidential election.
According to him, the development prompted like-minded politicians to align with the ADC in order to build a stronger opposition platform ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are not new in this political game. We saw the signs early and decided to act in order to stop the calculated attempt,” he said.
Tambuwal stressed that the ADC movement was not about personal ambition but about building a people-oriented political platform focused on Nigeria’s future.
“ADC is about the people and about Nigeria. Today, the country is divided between those in government and those outside it. Many Nigerians are unhappy with the current situation, including insecurity, poverty, corruption and abuse of public trust,” he added.
He emphasised that elections in Nigeria are ultimately decided by voters, noting that sitting presidents and governors had lost elections in the past when citizens were not convinced by their leadership.
Tambuwal maintained that his defection was not driven by personal political ambition but by concern for the future of his constituents and the country.
