SOKOTO — Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has officially declared war on the narrative that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an untouchable political force, describing claims of the President’s invincibility as “absolute rubbish.”
In a high-octane address that has re-energized the opposition, the former Sokoto State Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives confirmed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that he is “fully involved” in a massive cross-party coalition designed to democratically evict the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Aso Rock in 2027.
The “Rubbish” of Invincibility
Tambuwal, a seasoned political strategist, dismissed the idea that the power of incumbency makes the current administration bulletproof. He argued that the widespread economic hardship and the fragmented nature of the 2023 victory have left the President vulnerable.
“Every effort being made by the APC to make it appear as if Bola Tinubu cannot be defeated is rubbish. It is total nonsense,” Tambuwal stated. “He can be defeated; I believe so, and I know so. I am working night and day with other leaders across this country to ensure we achieve exactly that for the sake of Nigeria.”
A “Mega” Alliance in the Works
The Senator revealed that the emerging front is a “national rescue mission” involving heavyweights who were previously at odds. The coalition reportedly includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and even disgruntled former APC stalwarts like Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has surfaced as the likely vehicle for this “Mega Party,” with Tambuwal noting that a unified ticket would prevent the vote-splitting that allowed Tinubu to win with just 37% of the total vote in 2023.
“The Activism of the Failed”—Nigerians Fire Back
While Tambuwal’s “defiance” has been cheered by opposition supporters, it has also drawn a wave of biting criticism from Nigerians who are weary of “recycled” political alliances.
- “What is the New Idea?”: Critics on social media have blasted Tambuwal and his colleagues, asking what they intend to offer beyond “removing Tinubu.” “We’ve seen this movie before in 2014 with the APC merger,” one Lagos-based analyst noted. “If the only goal is power and not fixing the ₦100,000 bag of rice, then they are just wasting our time.”
- The “Corruption” Shadow: Many Nigerians pointed out the irony of Tambuwal’s “rescue mission” while he himself faces a ₦189 billion EFCC probe regarding his tenure in Sokoto. “It looks like a coalition of people running away from the EFCC,” a popular post on X (formerly Twitter) read.
- “Focus on 2026”: Residents expressed frustration that politicians are already obsessed with 2027 while the 2026 budget is in chaos and security remains a nightmare. “They aren’t talking about the kidnappings in Kwara or the hunger in the North; they are only talking about ballots,” another citizen lamented.
The Presidency’s Defiance
The Presidency has largely laughed off the coalition talks. Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga recently asserted that even a combined Atiku-Obi ticket cannot beat the Tinubu-Shettima machine.
However, Tambuwal maintains that the government’s “desperation” to destabilise opposition parties is the clearest sign that they are terrified of a united front. As the “Mega Party” takes shape, the “Lion of Sokoto” insists that the myth of invincibility is about to be shattered.
