SOKOTO — Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has launched a direct attack on the legitimacy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the ruling party of hijacking the 2023 elections against the will of the people.
Speaking at a political gathering in Sokoto, the former governor and current Senator pulled no punches, claiming the current leadership is fully aware that it lacks a genuine mandate.
“They Know They Didn’t Win”
Tambuwal alleged that the APC used unconventional means to secure the presidency, stating that the votes of Nigerians were “stolen” during the last general elections. He went further to claim that the President himself had essentially confessed to the transactional nature of his rise to power, suggesting that financial might, rather than popular support, was the deciding factor.
“They know they didn’t win. They stole Nigerians’ votes to grab power, and he himself confessed to buying it with his money,” Tambuwal said, referencing the “Emi lo kan” political philosophy and the massive spending that characterized the election cycle.
A Nation in Distress
The Senator described the current state of the country as a “misrule” that has left Nigerians impoverished and desperate. He argued that the administration has shown a lack of compassion for the citizens who are currently grappling with record-high inflation and a failing power sector. According to Tambuwal, the government’s focus has remained on self-preservation and the intimidation of opposition figures rather than addressing the core issues of insecurity and economic decay.
Opposition Under Siege
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also raised the alarm over what he described as a deliberate attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. He accused the presidency of using state institutions to harass opposition governors and force them into the APC.
“If you are performing in your state, why are you running to hide under a president who is failing?” he asked, questioning the recent wave of defections to the ruling party.
APC Reacts
In a swift response, spokesmen for the APC dismissed Tambuwal’s comments as the “bitter rants of a displaced politician.” The party maintained that the 2023 elections were a reflection of the people’s will and challenged Tambuwal to provide evidence for his claims of vote-buying and theft.
As the political atmosphere heats up ahead of the next election cycle, Tambuwal’s comments signal a hardening stance from the opposition coalition as they attempt to mobilize against the current administration.
